Karachi Police Seize 600kg of Banned Gutka in Factory Raid

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A major haul of banned tobacco products was uncovered on Wednesday after the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of District West Karachi raided a secret manufacturing facility in Pathan Colony, within the jurisdiction of Pirabad Police Station.

The SIU acted on a confidential tip-off, according to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shuaib Memon. During the operation, authorities discovered more than 600 kilograms of gutka and mawa, along with moistened betel nuts, processed tobacco, and equipment used to produce and package the illegal substances.

The raid also led to the arrest of one suspect, Adil, who was apprehended on-site. A formal case has been registered against him at the SIU police station under relevant provisions of the law.

The facility had been operating undetected, despite ongoing police patrols and search operations in the area. Authorities now believe it may have been involved in distributing the products across multiple parts of Karachi, posing a serious public health risk.

Gutka and mawa are locally made chewing products that combine betel nut, tobacco, and various additives. These substances have been banned in multiple regions of Pakistan due to their cancer-causing properties and widespread abuse, particularly among youth. Their consumption has been directly linked to oral cancer and other severe health issues.

Police confirmed that the seized machinery was capable of mass production and packaging, suggesting the operation was well-organized and sustained over time. Officials have launched further investigations to trace the supply network and identify additional suspects possibly involved in distribution or financing.

This raid highlights the ongoing struggle authorities face in curbing the illegal gutka trade across Sindh, especially in densely populated areas of Karachi. Law enforcement agencies are reportedly increasing surveillance in known hotspots and encouraging community members to report suspicious activity.

No additional arrests have been made as of Thursday morning, but police say more raids are expected in the coming days as part of an extended crackdown on the illegal tobacco trade.