FDA seizes banned pan masala, scented tobacco worth ₹2.69 crore in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized banned pan masala, flavoured tobacco and other prohibited food products, along with three vehicles, worth a total of Rs 2.69 crore during raids in Thane and Palghar districts.

The action was carried out on Friday and Saturday as part of a special drive against the illegal transportation, storage and sale of prohibited pan masala, flavoured tobacco and similar products in the state.

Rs 1.01 crore seizure in Thane

In Thane Zone-10, FDA officials received information about an Eicher truck allegedly carrying banned products through the Yewai Bridge area. Acting on the information, officials, with assistance from the Crime Branch and police personnel, intercepted and searched the vehicle.

The truck was found carrying 27,540 packets of Premium Raj Niwas Pan Masala valued at Rs 55.08 lakh and 27,540 packets of ZN-01 Zafrani Zarda valued at Rs 26.43 lakh. The prohibited products were worth Rs 81.51 lakh, while the truck was valued at around Rs 20 lakh.

The total seizure in the operation amounted to Rs 1.01 crore. An FIR was registered at Bhiwandi Taluka Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Rs 63.5 lakh seized in Palghar

In another operation at Charoti toll naka in Dahanu taluka, FDA officials seized prohibited food products worth Rs 43.5 lakh along with an Eicher closed-body truck valued at around Rs 20 lakh.

The FDA alleged that the products were being transported and stored for sale. An FIR was registered at Kasa Police Station against the driver Firoz Khaja Mia Sayyed and six others under relevant provisions of the BNS and Food Safety and Standards Act.

Police have also been directed to investigate whether the illegal trade was part of an organised network and examine the applicability of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

Another Rs 1.04 crore seizure in Thane

In Thane Zone-07, FDA officials seized prohibited food products valued at Rs 84.28 lakh along with a vehicle worth around Rs 20 lakh, taking the seizure in that operation to Rs 1.04 crore.

An FIR was registered at Khadakpada Police Station against Vinay Sharma. Based on information provided during the investigation, Mohammed Rafiq Rati Khan, 31, was arrested in connection with the case.

Across the three operations in Thane Zone-10, Palghar Zone-01 and Thane Zone-07, the Maharashtra FDA seized banned food products and vehicles worth a combined Rs 2,69,29,860.

The FDA said its crackdown on the illegal transportation, storage and sale of banned pan masala, flavoured tobacco and similar prohibited products will continue through special enforcement drives across Maharashtra.