THATTA: Over 30 people were arrested during raids on gutka and local wine factories in Thatta and Makli towns as part of a big drive launched on Saturday, Thatta SSP Fida Hussain Matoi said on Sunday.

He said that the drive was launched on widespread complaints about a mushroom growth of such small factories producing tobacco-based items like gutka, manpuri etc and local wine called ‘tharra’.

He said the Pakistan Medical Council had also been expressing its concern over an increasing number of mouth cancer cases being reported at hospitals of Thatta, Sujawal, Badin and other districts over the past few months. The patients included women and young children, he noted.

The SSP said that a huge quantity of gutka, manpuri and other products, along with the machinery and equipment, was seized and the manufacturing units and sales outlets were sealed during the drive, which was continuing. The Thatta, Makli and CIA police were carrying out the joint raids, he added.

He said 31 people, including owners, operators and workers of the factories, were arrested.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2014