134 Gutkha cases filed, 138 held in one week in Chennai

CHENNAI: As part of their ‘Drive against Banned Tobacco Products’ programme, Chennai police have intensified the action against those selling Gutkha and other banned products since the beginning of this year.

Last week, from October 9 to October 15, City police seized 63.8 kg of Gutkha products and 11.3 kg of Mava across the city, in 134 cases across the city, arresting 138 persons. Police also seized more than Rs 1.3 lakh cash in the drive.

Of the total haul, major seizure was made by Mambalam police who seized 45 kg of banned tobacco products from two shops on Usman road in T Nagar on October 15. Two persons - K Ganesan (26) and Abbas Fakhrudeen (39) were arrested.

Nandambakkam police team conducted searches at a Ayurveda medicine store in Manapakkam on October 15 based on a tip off and seized 7.5 kg of mawa from the store. One person, G Rameshkumar (36) of Manapakkam was arrested.