Thane: A container driver from Bhiwandi was arrested early Saturday and banned Gutka and tobacco products worth over Rs 1.74 crore seized from him, police said.
Police spokesman at the Narpoli police station said that acting on a tip-off, the police team raided a premises in a godown at Dapoda of Bhiwandi and seized the contraband in a container.
The container was loaded with Gutka and banned tobacco products of various brands, totally valued at Rs. 1,74,86,000.
The police also arrested the driver of the container identified as Amin Ilias Khan, 26.
An offence under various sections of the IPC and also FDA regulations and Food Safety standards has been registered against the arrested and wanted accused based on a complaint by the FDA officials.
The police said that the absconding accused include, Jagmohan Malhotra, owner of the Container, Hemkund Roadlines, Munna Ali and the owner of the Gala where the stock was stored.
The police are now now finding out as to from where the stock was sourced and where it was heading to