Pune. Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized a large consignment of banned gutkha after its team chased a suspected truck for nearly six hours before stopping it at Chakan-Talegaon Chowk. Gutkha worth around ₹1.13 crore was recovered from the truck. Four people, including the truck driver, have been arrested in connection with the case. Authorities are now investigating where the large consignment originated and where it was intended to be supplied.
According to the information available, the FDA received information on Friday that a truck carrying a large quantity of gutkha was being transported into Maharashtra. Following the information, FDA teams began monitoring the truck’s movements. The vehicle was reportedly travelling from Madhya Pradesh towards Bhiwandi in Thane district via the Samruddhi Expressway.
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During the journey, the occupants of the truck allegedly became suspicious that the vehicle was being monitored and changed its route. The truck turned towards Sangamner and subsequently proceeded in the direction of Pune. The FDA then deployed teams along possible routes. The Thane division team was sent towards Murbad, while the Pune division team was positioned in the Rajgurunagar area.
Near the Rajgurunagar toll plaza, the FDA team attempted to stop the truck. A food safety officer positioned the official vehicle in the truck’s path in an attempt to intercept it. However, the driver allegedly failed to stop and continued driving. The FDA team continued pursuing the vehicle, and with the assistance of local police, the truck was eventually stopped near Chakan-Talegaon Chowk.
A search of the truck led to the recovery of a large quantity of gutkha, estimated to be worth ₹1.13 crore. According to the FDA, the seizure and subsequent legal procedures continued until late at night. At around 10 pm on Saturday, a food safety officer from Pune filed a complaint at Chakan Police Station in Pimpri-Chinchwad under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Four people have been arrested in the case. They include a 40-year-old truck driver from Haryana, two residents of Khamgaon in Buldhana district and another person from Indore. According to the investigation, two of the accused have been described as owners or suppliers, while another has been identified as a transporter. Their individual roles are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
The FDA has also asked the police to examine the previous criminal records of the accused. Investigators are looking into the entire supply chain of the gutkha, its source, transportation arrangements and related financial transactions. The investigation is expected to establish whether the seized consignment was part of a larger organised illegal trade network.
The department has indicated that if the investigation establishes the existence of an organised and continuing illegal operation, action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) could be considered. Depending on the facts that emerge and the roles of those involved, a proposal may be submitted to the competent authorities for further action.
At present, the FDA and police are focusing on tracing the source of the gutkha consignment, identifying its potential buyers, mapping the supply network and examining the flow of money linked to the alleged illegal trade. The recovery of such a large quantity has also prompted investigators to examine whether a wider distribution network was operating behind the consignment.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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