A truck carrying a large consignment of betel nuts was seized by the GST Department’s enforcement team in Sambalpur following a late-night raid on Friday. Acting on a tip-off from reliable sources, officials intercepted the vehicle near Bareipalli Square while it was entering the city during night hours.
During inspection, approximately 27 tonnes of betel nuts were recovered from the truck. The driver was unable to produce any valid documents related to the transportation of the consignment, raising suspicion over the legality of the shipment. Officials are yet to ascertain whether the betel nuts were being transported to any gutkha manufacturing unit.
Sources said a notice has been served to the driver, directing him to produce the required documents within three days. If he fails to comply, further legal action will be initiated as per the provisions of the GST Act.
However, no official statement has been issued by the GST Department so far. The seizure comes amid heightened enforcement against illegal trade in betel nuts across Odisha. In April last year, betel nuts worth over Rs 1 crore were seized at Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district, where joint operations by marine police, customs officials and the Coast Guard led to the arrest of 14 persons linked to a smuggling network.
