Pune Crime Branch Busts Gutkha-Tobacco Racket, Seizes Goods Worth Over ₹20 Lakh; One Arrested

Pune Crime Branch raids warehouse in Yerwada, seizing banned gutkha and tobacco worth ₹20.7 lakh; one man arrested. Legal action underway.

Pune | November 25, 2025: The Pune Crime Branch’s Anti-Narcotics Squad carried out a major operation in Yerwada, uncovering illegal gutkha and tobacco products valued at more than ₹20 lakh. Officers raided a warehouse located behind a local provision store after receiving intelligence that banned products were being stocked in bulk. When the team entered the premises, they discovered a large quantity of gutkha hidden toward the rear of the warehouse, indicating that the location was being used as a distribution point. During the raid, police arrested a 25-year-old man identified as Jamanaram alias Ganesh Balram Jat, who was linked to the storage and movement of the contraband. The seizure, valued at ₹20,70,500, highlights the scale at which illegal tobacco networks continue to operate despite strict bans in Maharashtra.

A criminal case has been registered under the Indian Penal Code, the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, and the Food Safety and Standards Act. These legal provisions cover the possession, storage, and attempted sale of prohibited tobacco items. Investigators believe the seized stock was part of a wider supply chain that brings banned products into the city through discreet logistics channels. Officers involved in the raid noted that this was not a small-scale operation but part of an organized network operating across multiple neighborhoods. The repeated emergence of such cases illustrates how lucrative the illegal tobacco market remains and how traffickers continue to exploit demand despite recurring police action.

Public health experts have long warned that gutkha poses severe health risks, including oral cancer and chronic illnesses associated with tobacco addiction. Authorities in Maharashtra have maintained a stringent ban for years, yet the trade persists through covert warehouses and disguised transport consignments. Recent crackdowns across Pune show a similar pattern: goods worth lakhs are often found stored in rented rooms, godowns, and small commercial units. Law enforcement officials say that tackling supply hubs like these is far more effective than focusing solely on street-level sales, as it disrupts the backbone of the distribution network.

The raid reinforces the growing pressure on illegal traders operating within the city. According to officers, the focus is shifting toward intelligence-led operations and surveillance of warehouses, transport vehicles, and suspected storage points. However, dismantling entire networks remains challenging, as smugglers quickly adapt and move to new locations. The persistence of such cases also reflects ongoing demand for banned gutkha products, which continue to circulate despite government restrictions and health warnings. Reducing this demand will require stronger public awareness campaigns alongside consistent policing efforts.

In the larger picture, this operation underscores the importance of coordinated action between crime branch units, food safety authorities, and local police stations. The arrest and seizure signal that enforcement agencies are intensifying their approach, especially as illegal products continue to enter the market even after frequent crackdowns. The successful raid is a step forward, but authorities acknowledge that the issue requires sustained vigilance and stronger surveillance systems to prevent the re-emergence of such stockpiles. As the investigation progresses, officers are expected to track the network’s supply chain and identify the origin of the goods seized during the raid.

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