Berhampur Police Seizes 780 Kg of Gutkha from Ganesh Market, One Arrested

Berhampur: The Berhampur Police has seized illegal Gutkha weighing around 780 kg from Ganesh Market in Badabazar area here and arrested one person in this connection.

The accused has been identified as one Tukuna Sahu (40) of Gurumurty Pentho Berhampur.

Based on reliable information regarding staking of illegal Gutkha in a room at Vinayak Bhawan, Ganesh Market in Badabazar, the police conducted raids and found 780 kg of GOKUL DELUXE MIX Gutkha kept inside the room for transport.

During investigation, it was ascertained that one Narayan Sahu of Sarguna Sahi is the kingpin who has illegally manufactured the Gutkha. He is allegedly transporting it to other places.

The accused Tukuna Sahu was apprehended and during interrogation, he indicated the running of manufacturing unit of the Gutkha at Gurumurty Pentho Aska Road and another unit at Sukunda Village, the police said.

During search of the two manufacturing machines, polythene rolls and other raw materials, such as patti (tobacco leaves) weighing 1050 Kg, 20 kg of cardamom powder, 25 kg of white powder, 20 kg of coriander powder, 4kg of mint, 15kg of dalchini powder and 40 kg of supari powder were seized.

The police also seized one frying machine, one packing and sealing machine, one weighing machine and 17 Gokul Deluxe Mix Printed Rolls.

The owner was manufacturing, trading, and storing the finished Gutkha products and raw materials without any license or authority for wrongful gain, the police said.

Accused Tukuna Sahu has been arrested on Sunday. Investigation of the case is in progress to identify and arrest the other accused persons, the police added.