Pune Crime Branch Busts Gutkha Smuggling Racket Disguised as Cloth Transport; Goods Worth Rs 1.13 Crore Seized
Pune, 23rd May 2025: In a major crackdown, the Pune Police Crime Branch has busted a smuggling racket involving banned gutkha, pan masala, and cigarettes being transported under the pretext of cloth consignments. Authorities have seized contraband along with tempos and containers, collectively valued at approximately ₹1.13 crore. The operation took place near the Mantarwadi junction in Uruli Devachi.
The Fursungi Police have registered a case against six individuals in connection with the case. Two accused have been arrested: Ajinath Baban Dhumal (31), a resident of Keshavnagar, Manjari Budruk, and Madansingh Chitto Ram (38), a resident of Jammu and Kashmir. The remaining four accused—Radhesham Babulal Verma (Mantarwadi), Mithun Navale (Ganesh Peth), Daulatram Jangid (Mantarwadi), and Nikhil Agarwal, owner of Maharashtra Freight Carriers Pvt. Ltd. and Chandrai Warehouse—are currently absconding.
The case was registered based on a complaint filed by Police Constable Prithviraj Kisan Pandule of Crime Branch Unit 5.
According to police, the Mantarwadi-Katraj road area houses several cloth warehouses where traders import and store textiles from Gujarat and Rajasthan. However, authorities received a tip-off that banned tobacco products were being smuggled under the guise of cloth deliveries.
Acting on this information, a team from the Crime Branch raided a hotel in Uruli Devachi on Monday (May 19) around 6:30 a.m. They apprehended driver Dhumal in possession of banned gutkha and pan masala, which were being transported in a tempo.
Further investigation is underway to trace the full network involved in the illegal trade.
