Nagpur: In a major crackdown on the illegal trade of banned tobacco products, Pachpaoli Police, in coordination with Food Safety Department officials, seized prohibited tobacco and pan masala products worth nearly Rs 6 lakh and arrested one person during a raid in Nagpur.

According to police officials, the raid was conducted on June 1 between 1 pm and 6 pm at a residence located at Plot No. 82, Azad Bunkar Colony, Ashok Nagar, within the Pachpaoli police station limits.

The accused was identified as Azhar Iqbal Atiqur Rehman Qureshi (45). During the search conducted in the presence of panch witnesses and Food Safety officials, police recovered a large quantity of government-banned scented tobacco products, pan masala, and flavoured tobacco pouches of various brands allegedly stored for commercial sale.

Authorities seized a total of 419.766 kilograms of prohibited tobacco and pan masala products, valued at approximately Rs 5,99,272.

Investigators said the accused had illegally stockpiled the banned products with the intention of selling them for financial gain. Based on a complaint filed by Food Safety Officer Dr. A.N. Khandare, Pachpaoli Police registered a case under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

The accused has been arrested, and further investigation is underway to determine the source and distribution network of the contraband products.