Man arrested for running tobacco products manufacturing unit in Gudiyatham

A 52-year-old man was arrested by the Gudiyatham Town police in Vellore on Sunday for running a unit that manufactured banned tobacco products, such as gutkha, in Gudiyatham for the past few years. The police identified the arrested as R. Gothandapani of Gudiyatham.

Initial inquiry revealed that he had converted his terrace into a hans and gutkha manufacturing unit a few years ago. He sold the products to individuals and retail traders in Ranipet, Kancheepuram, and Chennai.

Based on a tip-off, the police searched his house and found 350 kg of banned tobacco products, including gutkha. The police seized the items and equipment that were used to manufacture the products. A case was registered. Gothandapani was lodged in the Central Prison in Vellore. A probe is under way.