Jajpur: The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha police conducted simultaneous raids Friday at different places of Chhatia and Byree locality in Jajpur district and unearthed two fake tobacco manufacturing units. Three persons were arrested in this connection.
Police seized a large number of tobacco packets and various forms of edible and chewing products when they raided a fake unit at a house in Bidyadharpur village in Bayree locality. Most of the packets had names of reputed branded companies like ‘Gopal Zarda’ and ‘Suravi’. The police also seized a packaging unit from the spot. Police arrested Gauranga Patra and Parsuram Patra from the house.
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During raid at another fake unit in Chhatia locality, large quantities of duplicate products were found. These were being sold as branded items, police said. Ramesh Bari was arrested for running the fake unit.
“The accused were involved in preparing and selling the fake tobacco products in the district. They used labels of popular companies to sell their products. The seized tobacco products are worth several lakhs of rupees,” the police said. More than 1.4 quintals of fake/duplicate zarda and other tobacco products were seized during the raids.
Police said they were interrogating the three arrested to find whether others are involved in the racket.
PNN