After drugs, Zarda worth Rs 1.52 crores seized
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 14 2013: A team of Thoubal District Police jointly led by Inspector A Khelendro Singh, OC of Pallel Police Station and SI Kh Niranjoy Singh of Pallel Police Station have seized Zarda worth more than Rs 1.52 crores from six individuals during frisking of two vehicles near the gate of Pallel Police Station under the supervision of SP of Thoubal AK Jhalajit Singh, MPS, around 11.30 pm yesterday.

During the course of checking, three occupants namely, the driver Lathangliana Mizo (35) s/o Ramliana Mizo of Churachandpur Hmuaia Veng, Thangboi Paite (23) s/o Paokhanlian Paite of Gouchinkhup Veng, New Lamka and Mrs Lhingboi Lupheng (35) w/o Thongmang Lupheng of Moreh Ward no.7, Canan Veng, were found travelling in first vehicle (Tata model no.1109 bearing registration no MN 02A/5102) which was carrying 200 cartons of Parizat Zarda.

There were in all 30 packets each in one cartoon and one packet contains 10 pieces.

Thus, in all 60,000 pieces of Parizat Zarda were seized from the first vehicle.

The printed price of each piece is Rs 48 and so the worth of the total seizure comes to around Rs 28,80, 000 .

Thoubal Police personnel checking the seized Zarda cartons

In the second vehicle, (Tata model no.909 EX bearing registration no.MN07-T/0036), another three occupants later identified as driver Salam Somorjit Singh (25) s/o l;ate S Borsing of Khongjom Sapam Leikai, Chonsei Lupheng (33) s/o Paothang Lupheng of Moreh Ward no.2, Canan Veng and Jamkhoson Touthang (28) s/o Tongmang Touthang, Moreh Ward no.7, Canan Veng, were found travelling along with 80 cartons of Parizat Zarda (30 packets each were in one cartoon and 10 pieces in one packet.

So, there were in all 24 pieces in each carton.

Based on the printed price of Rs 48 per pieces, the total worth of seizure from 30 carton boxes has been estimated at Rs 11,52,000) .

In addition to these, 15 cartons of Baba Zarda (24 packets in one carton, 10 pieces in one packet, thus total 36,00 pieces in each carton with printed price of Rs 65 per piece, and thus total estimated cost Rs 2,34,000), 44 cartons of 350 SINGAL (small) Zarda ( 120 packets each in one carton, 10 pieces in one packet, thus total 52,800 pieces with printed price of Rs 55 per pieces, thus total estimated cost Rs 29,04,000) and 6 cartons of 350 SIGNAL (Big) Zarda (30 packets each in one carton, 10 pieces in each packet, thus total 1800 pieces with printed price of Rs 250 per pieces, thus amounting to total Rs 4,50,000) were also seized from the second vehicle.

According to a statement issued by SP of Thoubal district in connection with the seizure, although the printed prize of the seized item comes to Rs 76,20,000, it would be more than double in the open market. Along with arresting all the six individuals, the seized items have been reportedly handed over to the Food Safety Officer, Thoubal for further necessary action under the Food Safety and Standard Acts, 2006 .

It may be noted here that the Government of Manipur, Secretariat Health department vide notification no.15/52/88-M (FSSA) Pt dated 26th of February, 2013 has banned manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution, display, sale and purchase of Gutkha, Khaini, Zarda, Pan Masala and other chewable, smokeless tobacco products containing nicotine food ingredients as unsafe food injurious to health in Manipur in the interest of public health.