Tobacco products worth around Rs1 lakh were seized during a surprise raid in Long Bazaar, in Vellore on Thursday.
Officials attached to the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department led by the designated officer in-charge of Vellore, Dr A Jagannathan, conducted a raid at the wholesale and retail shops in Long Bazaar. During the raid, a wholesale shop selling tobacco products such as pan masala and gutka was identified and goods worth Rs1 lakh were seized.
Food safety officer A Gowri Sundar said raids were also conducted in eight other retail shops and a few boxes were seized. He said the checks were being conducted across the district with the objective of making Vellore a tobacco-free district.