Authorities in Sambalpur district seized a truck loaded with betel nut late Friday night at Bareipali Square, following a raid by the GST department.
Officials reported that goods worth nearly Rs 2 crore were confiscated, raising suspicions of tax evasion and illegal trade.
The truck, bearing registration number OD 15 W 1994, was intercepted while travelling from Raipur to Sambalpur. Investigators discovered that although the vehicle carried a large consignment of betel nut powder, the bill presented showed only 20 bags. Officials suspect that fake invoices were prepared to evade GST, with the transit pass issued under the name of Manoj Sharma.
Sources indicated that the consignment was allegedly destined for a gutkha company in Sambalpur, despite the state-wide ban on gutkha sales. The seizure has sparked questions about how such consignments managed to pass through without prior checks.
Police and GST officials are now probing the case to determine the extent of the alleged evasion and identify those involved. The incident highlights the need for stricter monitoring of goods movement and enforcement of anti-gutkha regulations.
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