Major dealer raided: Rs 50 lakh, 120 kg gutka seized

The Vepery police, which got information regarding the role of Prajesh Tiwari, a businessman based in Choolai, in the illegal business, raided his house and godowns. Prajesh Tiwari, however, managed to escape before the police team could reach his place. The police found Rs 50 lakh in cash in his residence which was seized. Police raided his godowns in the city and recovered 120 kg of gutka and arrested two workers employed there. 

A search is on to find absconding Prajesh Tiwari. Police continued their raids on gutka sellers and dealers across the city and several kilograms of gutka and pan masala have been seized for the fourth day in a row. 

Several persons were also arrested and shops sealed for conducting illegal sale of the banned tobacco products. The city police started a special drive against shops that sell gutka and pan masala after DMK working President and Opposition Leader MK Stalin brought packets of gutka to the state Assembly to make a point that the banned products are still available widely in the city.