A 45-year-old trader was arrested by Vellore South police in Saidapet after the police seized gutka from him on Tuesday.

The police said the arrested person was identified as Mujib Basha, 45, a resident of Vellore. He was living in town for many years. He was also running a petty shop near the fort complex. 

Initial inquiry revealed that based on orders of N.U. Sivaraman, SP (Vellore), a special team conducted a surprise check in petty shops around the fort complex.

The team searched Basha’s shop and found around five kilograms of gutka that was meant for sale. Based on his inputs, the team checked a rented house in the area where they seized around 95 kg gutka.

The police said that he brought banned items from Chittoor (A.P) for retail trade. A case was registered. The arrested person was lodged at Central Prison in Vellore. A probe is under way.