Around five tonnes of banned chewable products like gutka and pan masala of various brands were seized
KOCHI: Banned chewable tobacco products worth Rs 50 lakh were seized during a major raid jointly conducted by excise, police and health departments in Perumbavoor town on Sunday.
Around five tonnes of banned chewable products like gutka and pan masala of various brands were seized from shops and warehouses near the private bus stand, Sophia College and areas highly-populated with guest workers, who are the main customers and dealers of these products.
Municipal chairman T M Sakker Hussain, excise circle inspector K S Mohammed Harish and Perumbavoor police circle inspector Rahul Raveendren led the raid that continued till Sunday evening. The raid was conducted based on an information received by the health department that bulk quantities of these products have been smuggled into the district by guest workers from their native states after the lockdown restrictions were lifted.