Coimbatore Police Intensify Crackdown on Illegal Gutka Sales
The Coimbatore city police have significantly intensified their enforcement actions against sellers of banned gutka products, launching a major operation that resulted in multiple arrests and substantial seizures. On Sunday, law enforcement officials registered formal cases against 22 individuals who were actively involved in the illegal sale of gutka across various neighborhoods of the city.
Widespread Police Raids Across Multiple Locations
Acting on specific instructions from senior officials, police personnel attached to different police stations conducted coordinated searches in numerous parts of Coimbatore. The operation targeted areas known for illicit tobacco trade, with police teams discovering illegal sales of banned tobacco products at Ukkadam, Variety Hall Road, Vadavalli, Rathinapuri, Saibaba Colony, Thudiyalur, Ramanathapuram, Selvapuram, Sundarapuram, Kuniyamuthur, Karumbukadai, Singanallur and Peelamedu.
The comprehensive raids led to the seizure of approximately 100 kilograms of banned gutka products from the arrested individuals. All 22 suspects were formally booked under the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), which regulates tobacco sales and consumption across India.
Major Arrest and Judicial Custody
Among those apprehended, P Sandra Sekaran, 42, of Telungupalayam, faced particularly serious charges after police confiscated a substantial 75 kilograms of banned gutka products from his possession. Following his arrest, Sekaran was remanded to judicial custody, highlighting the severity with which authorities are treating violations of tobacco regulations in the region.
The police action represents a significant escalation in Coimbatore's ongoing efforts to curb the illegal gutka trade, which continues despite nationwide bans on such products. Health authorities have repeatedly warned about the serious health risks associated with gutka consumption, including increased cancer risks and other tobacco-related diseases.
This coordinated police operation demonstrates the city's commitment to enforcing tobacco control laws and protecting public health from the dangers of unregulated tobacco products. The substantial quantity of seized gutka suggests the scale of the illegal trade that authorities are working to dismantle through sustained enforcement measures.
