Mumbai : -In a major crackdown on illegal tobacco trade, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Central Railway’s Mumbai Division seized 1892.2 kg of banned gutkha and pan masala worth ₹6.64 lakh from the Ballia-Dadar Express at Dadar railway station.
The seizure took place after Train No. 01026 UP Ballia Express arrived at Dadar around 7:45 am. Suspicious parcels unloaded at Platforms 13 and 14 raised concerns due to a strong smell of tobacco. RPF Head Constable Sohanlal Jatav, along with Inspector Narsingh Meena and his team, conducted a detailed inspection and found 29 parcels containing prohibited products like URP chewing tobacco, Pukar pan masala, and Varanasi Ashiq supari.
Despite a prolonged wait, no one claimed the goods. The parcels were moved to the Dadar Parcel Office and opened in the presence of independent witnesses. All items were sealed and confiscated under an official memo.
The Government Railway Police (GRP) Dadar registered an FIR under Sections 223 and 275 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Sections 30(2)(a) and 59 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. An investigation is underway to identify the source and network behind the illegal consignment, led by GRP Head Constable Datta Shivajirao Bhise.
