Mundhe team raids locked Kalyan flats, finds 5 boxes of banned tobacco products

The Maharashtra FDA, with Bhoiwada police, raided two Bhiwandi flats and seized banned tobacco products. The case now centres on the storage network, stock valuation and the suspected link to Wasim Ansari.The FDA team reached and found that both flats were locked at the time of the raid. (Credits: Mithilesh Gupta)Kalyan, Maharashtra,Sep 30, 2026 21:25 ISTThe Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Maharashtra has seized a large stock of banned gutkha, flavoured tobacco and pan masala from two flats in a residential building in Bhiwandi’s Samarubaug area.The action was carried out by an FDA team in coordination with the Bhoiwada police on Wednesday. Officials raided two flats in Salim Manzil, a residential building located in the Samarubaug area along Karivali Road, following information that banned tobacco products were being stored there.According to officials, the FDA had been investigating the information for around a month before carrying out the raid.TWO FLATS FOUND LOCKED DURING RAIDThe FDA team reached Salim Manzil on Wednesday morning and found that both flats were locked at the time of the raid. The officials then contacted the Bhoiwada police and sought their assistance. After completing the necessary panchnama proceedings, the locks were opened in the presence of police and FDA officials.The teams subsequently searched both flats and found a substantial quantity of banned tobacco products stored inside. GUTKHA, TOBACCO AND PAN MASALA SEIZEDDuring the search, officials recovered several brands of flavoured tobacco, gutkha and pan masala. The seized stock included products sold under brands such as Dilbag and Rajnigandha.The entire stock of 5 boxes were taken into custody by the FDA for further action.Officials are currently measuring the seized material and assessing its value. The total quantity and estimated market value of the seized products are expected to be established after the assessment is completed.CASE AGAINST SUSPECT BEING INITIATEDAccording to preliminary information, the name of Wasim Ansari has emerged in connection with the storage of the banned tobacco products.The process of registering a case against Ansari has been initiated, officials said. Further legal action will depend on the findings of the investigation and the assessment of the seized stock.The FDA and police are also examining how the tobacco products were brought into the residential building and stored in the two flats.The latest action comes as authorities continue to crack down on the storage and distribution of banned gutkha and flavoured tobacco products in Maharashtra.The FDA is expected to provide details of the total quantity seized and its estimated value once the stock assessment is completed.- Ends