Nagpur : Nagpur Crime Branch Unit No. 3, in coordination with officials of the Food and Drug Administration (Food Safety Department), busted an illegal tobacco manufacturing and packaging unit in Lakadganj area of Nagpur and seized prohibited tobacco products and equipment worth approximately Rs 23.5 lakh.
Acting on credible information, the Crime Branch team conducted a raid between 12 noon and 8.30 pm on December 30, 2025, at Plot No. 163, Small Factory Area, Lakadganj, within Lakadganj police station limits. During the raid, the accused were caught red-handed while illegally manufacturing, mixing, packing and storing banned tobacco products using machines.
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31 dec 2025
The accused have been identified as Abhishek Anil Sahani (42), resident of Sadashiv Nagar, Wathoda; Israr Ahmed Shakil Ahmed; Mohammad Sajid Mohammad Kalam Ansari; Mohammad Alim Mohammad Arif; Mohammad Atiq Mohammad Hanif (38), all residents of Nai Basti near Medina Masjid, Teka, Pachpaoli; Iqbal Ayub Dhara (60) and another Iqbal Ayub Dhara, both residents of Maskasath Chowk near Memon Jamat Khana; and Abdul Rehman Qasim Ansari, resident of Nai Basti, Teka, Pachpaoli, Nagpur.
Police found the accused in possession of a large stock of government-banned tobacco products of various brands and flavours, including scented tobacco, pan masala, tobacco pouches and raw material. The seized items also included mixer machines, flavoured liquids, punching machines, pouch sealing machines and other manufacturing equipment. Additionally, three two-wheelers, one four-wheeler and nine mobile phones were seized during the operation.
Investigations revealed that the accused were illegally manufacturing and packing tobacco products for personal financial gain, despite a government ban on such items, and were storing them for sale in the market.
Based on a complaint filed by Food Safety Officer Tatya Ganpatrao Lokhande (38), Lakadganj police registered a case under Sections 123, 214, 223, 274, 27 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant sections of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, including Sections 26(1), 26(2)(i), 26(2)(iv), 27(3)(e), 30(2)(a), 3(1)(iv)(zz) and 59.
All accused have been handed over to Lakadganj police along with the seized property. Further investigation is underway.
