Thane Crime: Kalwa Police Bust Banned Gutkha Smuggling Racket, Arrest 2; Seize Property Worth ₹26.81 Lakh
Thane, September 19, 2026: In a major crackdown on the illegal trade of banned tobacco products, the Kalwa Police intercepted a smuggling operation and arrested two individuals attempting to transport prohibited gutkha and pan masala into Thane and Navi Mumbai from Nashik. Law enforcement officials seized contraband valued at Rs 12.71 lakh, alongside two Maruti Suzuki WagonR vehicles used in the…
On September 19, 2026, the Kalwa Police in Thane successfully dismantled a banned gutkha smuggling racket, apprehending two suspects and seizing property valued at Rs 26.81 lakh. The operation unfolded after receiving a tip-off on September 16 from Assistant Commissioner of Police (Kalwa Division) Sanket Devlekar.
A specialized police team, under the leadership of Assistant Police Inspector R.K. Gaikwad, set a trap near the Kharegaon Toll Naka on September 18 around 6:30 am. According to the police, the duo was intercepted as they attempted to transport prohibited gutkha and pan masala from Nashik to Thane and Navi Mumbai via two Maruti Suzuki WagonR vehicles.
The search operation yielded a substantial haul of banned tobacco products, bringing the total value of confiscated goods to Rs 26.81 lakh. Both drivers were taken into custody. The police are now conducting a comprehensive investigation to trace the entire supply chain and dismantle the illicit network. A case has been filed at the Kalwa Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The operation was spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-1) Balasaheb Patil and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Kalwa Division) Sanket Devlekar. It underscores the police's commitment to curbing the illegal tobacco trade in the region.
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