Fake RMD Gutkha Factory Busted in Pune; Goods Worth ₹1 Crore Seized
RMD
Pune Police raided an illegal factory producing fake RMD gutkha and pan masala, seizing goods worth around ₹1 crore and arresting multiple accused involved in the operation.
Pune, December 04, 2025 – Pune Police have uncovered a large-scale fake RMD gutkha manufacturing unit operating secretly in the Loni Kalbhor area and seized counterfeit products worth nearly one crore rupees. The raid took place after investigators received reliable intelligence that the unit was producing and packing fake gutkha and pan masala for distribution across nearby regions. When the team entered the premises, they found stacks of finished packets, raw scented tobacco, chemicals, flavouring agents, machinery, packaging materials and a range of ingredients used in preparing the counterfeit product. Three modified vehicles used for moving the goods were also confiscated, along with a small amount of cash.
Officers arrested four men during the raid, including the suspected operator of the factory, Rohit Durgaprasad Gupta. The others were identified as Ramprasad Prajapati, Sushil Sonkar and Danish Musakeen Khan. Another suspect, Sumit Gupta, managed to escape and is currently being hunted by the police. Investigators said the factory was located inside a warehouse in Kamble Wasti near Theur Phata and had been functioning quietly for a considerable period. The seized goods, along with the machinery and chemical components, indicate a well-organised system designed to produce fake RMD gutkha and other banned tobacco mixtures on a large scale.
Police officials said the counterfeit products were being made using low-grade raw materials and unregulated chemical additives that pose serious health hazards. They stressed that the illegal activity was not just a financial crime but also a threat to public health. Authorities are now tracing the supply chain to determine where the fake gutkha was being sold, how widely it had spread and whether the group was linked to similar operations in other states. The investigation may widen as officers analyse call records, documents and transport logs recovered from the unit.
The raid is part of an ongoing crackdown against illegal gutkha and pan masala units in Maharashtra. Despite strict bans, several underground factories continue to operate in rural and peri-urban pockets, using hidden storage spaces and rented godowns to avoid detection. Police say that the scale of the recent seizure shows how profitable the counterfeit tobacco trade has become and how determined such groups are to bypass regulations. They added that community vigilance played a crucial role in alerting authorities to suspicious movements around the warehouse.
Residents in the area were shocked to learn that such a factory had been running close to their homes. Many said they had noticed frequent vehicle movement but never suspected illegal manufacturing. After the raid, police urged citizens to report unusual activity, especially in warehouses and isolated properties. Officers said that timely information can help prevent health risks and stop the spread of counterfeit products in the market.
The seized goods will now undergo verification and will later be destroyed as part of standard procedure. Meanwhile, the four arrested suspects are being questioned, and the search continues for the remaining absconding accused. Police believe further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses. For now, the bust marks a major success in Pune’s efforts to curb the illegal gutkha trade and protect consumers from dangerous counterfeit products.
