Elderly Vellore grocer seized with 50 kg of gutka

73-year-old trader R. Venkatesan was arrested by Gudiyatham Town police on Tuesday after a surprise raid uncovered 50 kg of gutka in his grocery shop in Vasantham Nagar, Vellore. The police said the special team acted on orders of Superintendent of Police N.U. Sivaraman. Investigation revealed Venkatesan sourced the gutka from agents in Chittoor and intended to sell it at higher retail prices. A case has been filed and a probe is ongoing.

Context

Gutka is a chewable tobacco product that many Indian states restrict because of health risks. Police raids on sellers are part of efforts to curb its illegal trade.