Surendranagar: In a major crackdown on food adulteration, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Surendranagar Police seized goods worth ₹2.35 lakh, including 22 boxes of suspected adulterated ghee being sold in the name of ‘Amul’ ghee, during raids in Mehta Market and the Tanki Chowk area. Two persons have been detained, and further investigation is underway.

Acting on specific inputs, the SOG team, in coordination with the Food and Drugs Department, conducted the raids. Police first raided a shop named Hetvi Sales in Mehta Market, where six boxes of suspected ghee were recovered from shopkeeper Pritesh Hasmukh Lalani, a resident of Ratanpar. During questioning, Lalani revealed that the stock had been sourced from J.C. & Company near Tanki Chowk.

Subsequently, a raid at J.C. & Company led to the recovery of 16 more boxes labelled as “Amul Pure Ghee Wholesale Package,” allegedly packed in cartons of another brand. The police detained two operators, Raj Jayesh Shakani and Jayesh Chandulal Shakani, from the premises.

The seized items include 22 cans of ghee valued at ₹2.20 lakh and two mobile phones worth ₹15,000, taking the total value of the seizure to ₹2.35 lakh.

Preliminary interrogation has revealed an Ahmedabad link, with the accused allegedly sourcing the adulterated ghee from Narayani Enterprises. A case has been registered at Surendranagar City A-Division Police Station, and efforts are underway to trace the wider network involved in the racket.

The SOG has urged citizens to report any instances of fake or adulterated food items being sold in their area, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential. DeshGujarat