Pune Crime Branch Seizes Gutkha Worth ₹4.27 Lakh In Wagholi, One Arrested
Pune Crime Branch Seizes Gutkha Worth ₹4.27 Lakh In Wagholi, One Arrested
Pune, May 21, 2026: The Pune City Police Crime Branch Unit 7 took action against illegal transportation of banned gutkha products in the Wagholi area and arrested one person while seizing contraband and a vehicle collectively valued at ₹4.27 lakh.
According to police officials, on May 18, 2026, a team from Crime Branch Unit 7 was conducting preventive patrol duty when police personnel Kiran Palande and Vinayak Salve received confidential information that a man was transporting prohibited gutkha products in a car for sale in the Wagholi area.
Acting on the tip-off, the team led by Senior Police Inspector Santosh Sonawane and Assistant Police Inspector Madan Kamble immediately rushed to the spot and laid a trap on the Wagholi-Kesnand Road near Royal Gadi Factory at Kalecha Odha in Wagholi, Haveli taluka.
Police detained the accused identified as Arunkumar Bhalaram Khatri, aged 20, a resident of Koregaon Bhima in Pune district. He was found transporting banned tobacco products in a Chevrolet Enjoy car bearing registration number MH-05-CH-0534.
During the search, police recovered banned products including Vimal Pan Masala, V-1 Tobacco and Premium RMD Pan Masala collectively worth ₹1.22 lakh. Including the vehicle used for transportation, the total seized property was valued at ₹4.27 lakh.
A case has been registered against the accused at Wagholi Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Further investigation is underway.
