Gutka unit raided, owners arrested
Rachakonda Special Operations Team and Meerpet police on Sunday raided a gutka manufacturing unit running the guise of mouth-freshener making unit at Adibatla and seized a large quantity of gutka and raw material.
Police nabbed the owners of the unit, identified as Muppala Madhu, 27, and Gottipati Madhu, 21.
According to the police, Madhu had obtained a trade license in the name of Ms Bujji Enterprises for manufacturing namkeen and pan masala without tobacco and nicotine as ingredients and mouth-freshener that contained dry fruits and nuts. But he was manufacturing gutka under cover for the last couple of months. He had employed workers from other states in the unit which did not adhere to safety guidelines. The gutka manufactured at the unit was supplied to outlets in the city.
Based on credible information, raids were conducted on the unit located at Adibatla during which one gutka-making machine, power mixing machine, gutka packets and other raw material, all worth around `5 lakh were seized.
The detained persons and the material were handed over to Meerpet police for further investigations.
According to health experts, gutka causes cancer of the cheek, gums, lips, tongue, and floor and roof of the mouth.
It also causes gum diseases and gum recession, and leukoplakia (whitish patches inside the mouth that can become cancerous), staining of teeth and tooth loss.