Nagpur: Stepping up its citywide crackdown on illegal narcotics and banned tobacco products, Nagpur Police seized a significant quantity of prohibited scented tobacco and gutkha during a raid in Wanjara Bhilgaon under the ongoing ‘Operation Thunder’. The action was taken following strict directives from Police Commissioner Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal.
Around 1 pm on November 16, a patrolling team from Kalamna Police Station received a tip-off about illegal storage of banned products at a shop in the area. Acting swiftly, the team raided Sagar Pan Palace, located on Diamond Colony Road. During the operation, the police detained Akash Devidas Upvanshi (30), a resident of Wanjara, Bhilgaon Road, who was found at the shop.
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18 Oct 2025
A search of the godown behind the establishment led to the discovery of large quantities of government-prohibited scented tobacco, pan masala and flavoured tobacco pouches, all stocked for illegal sale. The seized material has been valued at Rs 40,853.
Police officials stated that the accused was hoarding the banned substances for personal financial gain. A case has been registered at Kalamna Police Station under Sections 123, 223, 274, 275 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The accused has been arrested.
The raid was executed under the supervision of senior officers, including Police Commissioner Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal, Joint CP Navinchandra Reddy, Additional CP (North) Rajendra Dabhade, DCP Zone 5 Niketan Kadam, and ACP Rohit Ovhal. The action team comprised API Pravin Kale, PSI Shashikant Musale, and constables Vishal Bhaisare, Pramod Kangale, Nitin Mishra, and Lalit Shende.
Police said similar operations will continue in the coming days to curb the illegal trade of narcotic and harmful tobacco products across Nagpur.
