Police seize large quantity of gutka, betel nut in Karachi

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2026) Police in Karachi carried out separate intelligence-based operations in Keamari and Central districts on Thursday, seizing a large quantity of smuggled betel nut (chhalia) and gutka, and arresting three suspects, officials said.

According to police officials, Mochko Check Post police conducted a raid near Chitara Bypass along a riverbank and recovered more than 20 maunds of chhalia and Indian gutka that had been dumped for onward smuggling through an unpaved route.

The recovered items included 79 sacks weighing 826 kilogrammes of chhalia, 1,100 packets of mawa and 6,300 packets of Indian gutka. The Keamari police spokesperson said a case (FIR No. 215/26) had been registered at Mochko Police Station, and efforts were underway to trace and arrest those involved.

In a separate operation, Federal B Industrial Area Police in District Central arrested three suspects allegedly involved in chhalia smuggling and seized 200 kilogrammes of the substance along with cash, said the spokesperson for district Central Police.

The arrested individuals were identified as Bilal, son of Muhammad Tariq, Qayyum, son of Mateen, and Imran, son of Muhammad Shafiq. Police said the suspects were attempting to transport the contraband into the city in a truck.

The vehicle used in the smuggling attempt was also taken into custody. The suspects, along with the recovered chhalia and truck, were handed over to Customs authorities for further legal proceedings.