Gutka sale increases in TN

Although the Tamil Nadu government has taken serious steps to ban tobacco and drug sale, it continues to be sold in Chennai. In fact, close to Rs 12 crore worth of drugs have been seized in Chennai. 

In 2013 alone, inspections have been carried out in 1,10,636 outlets by the food safety and quality department. In which 20,415 outlets have been found to sell drugs. Drugs worth 5 crore and 70 lakh have been seized from those shops..

Similarly, between 2014-2015, raids have been carried out in 1,31,803 outlets. In which 22,928 outlets are found to sell drugs worth 3 crore and 20 lakhs

Between 2015- 2016, raids have been conducted in 11,344 outlets, out of which 2,058 outlets were found to have drugs worth 22 lakh

From 2016 to April, raids have been conducted in 2,10,568 outlets. Out of which 19,139 outlets were found to sell drugs worth 2.94 crores. 

It is said that the drugs are being exported from other states by container trucks. Those drugs are illegally stored in Sowcarpet, north Chennai. The drugs are sold deliberately in the shops from Neelankarai to Thiruvanmiyur.

The regular buyers of these drugs are the workers from north India, who stay in Chennai for work purpose.