Gutka packets worth 15 lakh seized, 9 held

Vijayawada: The city police arrested nine persons including two women in connection with the purchase and sale of banned gutka and khaini and seized packets worth Rs.15 lakh here on Monday. 

The accused are doing the business in Krishna, Guntur and Godavari districts. The police conducted raids and seized 88,674 packets of gutka, khaini and 2150 grams of ganja.

Producing the nine-member gang before the media here on Monday, Deputy Commissioner of Police Nawab Jaan said three accused belongs to Guntur, three from Rajamahendravaram, two from West Godavari and one from New Rajarajeswari Peta in the city.

Following are the accused arrested by the city police: Shaik Saibi, New Rajarajeswari Peta, Vijayawada, Pydireddy Dasari, Rasamsetty Ramesh and D Subramanyam of Rajamahendravaram, Sambu Venkata Subramanyam and Paleti Gopi of Guntur city and Mannem Srilekha of Tadepalli town, Guntur district, Kella Ramarao of Undi and Cherlamcherla Prasad of Tadepalligudem, West Godavari.  

Another accused Bolisetty Kameswara Rao of Guntur is yet to be arrested,  the DCP said. Two women Mannem Srilekha and Shaik Saibi, who run petty shops in Vijayawada and Tadepalli of Guntur district, are playing very important role in sale of gutka and khaini through the network of brokers and traders. The DCP said the accused would be produced in the court.