Navi Mumbai Police Crackdown on Illegal Pan Masala Worth Rs 20 Lakh

In Navi Mumbai, authorities are clamping down on the illicit sale of banned food items, apprehending two suspects with pan masala and chewing tobacco valued at over Rs 20 lakh, as reported by an official on Friday.

The individuals were arrested in the Rabale area during an operation to intercept banned products in transit. They now face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, following an FIR filed on August 1. The law strictly prohibits the transport, manufacturing, and sale of such items, threatening severe penalties for offenders.

Acting on a tip-off from Food Safety Officer Indrajeet Narayan Chilwante, police on July 31 seized product-laden vehicles, capturing Prabhunath Vedvyas Pandey and Asif Mohammad Aftab Sheikh. While both remain in custody, police are hunting for two additional suspects, believed to be integral to a broader distribution network. This crackdown is part of Maharashtra's ongoing efforts to combat health-hazardous goods linked to serious illnesses.

(With inputs from agencies.)