6-Hour Chase! ₹1.13 Crore Gutkha Seized in Chakan After Dramatic FDA Pursuit
FDA Gutkha Seizure Chakan: A confidential tip, a route change, and a six-hour high-speed chase across Maharashtra ended with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seizing prohibited gutkha worth ₹1.13 crore at Chakan in Pune.
The operation, led by FDA Commissioner Tukaram Munde, unfolded like a movie script — starting with a tip at 2 PM on September 18 and ending with the truck intercepted at Chakan-Talegaon Chowk around 8 PM the same day.
FDA Gutkha Seizure Chakan: How the Chase Unfolded
A Secret Tip and a Route Change
The FDA received confidential information that a Tata truck was transporting prohibited gutkha from Madhya Pradesh into Maharashtra. The truck was initially travelling on the Samruddhi Expressway towards Bhiwandi in Thane district.
But the driver had other plans. Instead of continuing to Bhiwandi, the truck changed its route and headed towards Pune via Sangamner .
Teams Deployed Immediately
As soon as the route change was detected, FDA teams were deployed along possible routes:
- Thane Division team → positioned towards Murbad
- Pune Division team → deployed at Rajgurunagar
The Toll Plaza Blockade
At Rajgurunagar Toll Plaza, Food Safety Officer Laxmikant Savale attempted to stop the truck by positioning his vehicle across its path. But the driver refused to stop and continued driving straight through .
What followed was a 6-hour pursuit — with Savale and local police tailing the truck relentlessly.
The Final Interception
At around 8 PM, with assistance from local police, the truck was finally cornered at Chakan-Talegaon Chowk — bringing the dramatic chase to an end .
FDA Gutkha Seizure Chakan
When officials opened the truck, they discovered a massive haul of prohibited products:
| Product | Value |
| Rajnigandha Flavoured Pan Masala | ₹29.95 lakh |
| R.M.D. Pan Masala | ₹26.40 lakh |
| Tansen Flavoured Pan Masala | ₹24.94 lakh |
| Tulsi Royal Jafrani Zarda | ₹9.60 lakh |
| T.O. Premium Zarda | ₹2.64 lakh |
| Truck (MH 18 BZ 2350) | ₹20 lakh |
| TOTAL | ₹1,13,54,600 |
All these products are prohibited in Maharashtra under food safety regulations .
FDA Gutkha Seizure Chakan: Case Against 5 Accused
After completing the seizure procedure — which continued through the night — a complaint was lodged at Chakan North Police Station at 10 AM on September 19
The accused named in the case are:
| Name | Role |
| Nafis Mehboob Khan (40), Haryana | Truck Driver |
| Nilesh Rathi, Khamgaon, Buldhana | Owner/Supplier |
| Arun Patil, Jalgaon | Owner/Supplier |
| J.M.D. Enterprises, Dhule | Vehicle Owner |
| Sanjay Mata, Indore, MP | Transporter |
They face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
FDA Gutkha Seizure Chakan: MCOCA Action Requested
The FDA has said the incident appears to be more than just a food safety violation — it could be part of an organised and continuing illegal trade that poses a serious risk to public health.
The department has requested police to:
- Examine previous criminal records of the accused
- Investigate the supply chain and financial transactions
- Consider invoking MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999) for stringent action
How to Report Food Safety Violations
Citizens can report food safety concerns to the FDA:
- Toll-free number: 1800-22-2365
- Complaint portal: complaints.mahafda.in
The FDA has urged citizens to report any suspicious food safety violations immediately .
FDA Gutkha Seizure Chakan: What Happens Next
The FDA has said this is not an isolated case. The recovery of prohibited products worth over ₹1 crore suggests a well-organised supply chain operating across state borders. The route change from Samruddhi Expressway to Sangamner indicates that the syndicate has local informants who tipped them off about enforcement.
Officials are now examining:
- Previous criminal records of all five accused
- Financial transactions linked to the supply chain
- Possible links to other gutkha smuggling cases in Maharashtra
- Whether the truck’s registration and insurance papers are genuine
The FDA has also ordered a review of toll plaza CCTV footage to identify other vehicles involved in the convoy. Investigators suspect the truck was not travelling alone and that at least two escort vehicles may have been helping it avoid checkpoints.
The department has urged citizens to report any suspicious food safety violations immediately. Early information was key to this operation, and the FDA has credited the tip-off for making the chase possible.
This is a developing story. Further investigation into the organised network is underway.
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