Gujarat: Illegal hookah bar operating from cafe busted; nicotine-based products seized

Ahmedabad, July 3 (IANS) The Ahmedabad Police have busted an illegal hookah bar operating from a cafe in the city’s Sarkhej area, seizing nicotine-based hookah flavours and equipment worth Rs 66,855 as part of a drive against unlawful activities ahead of the upcoming Rath Yatra, officials said on Friday.

According to a statement issued by Sarkhej Police Station, the raid was carried out in the Ambli Police Outpost area under the guidance of the city police commissioner, senior officers of Sector-1, Zone-7 and the “M” Division, and under the direct supervision of Police Inspector L.L. Chavda.

“Police Sub-Inspector K.B. Chaudhary, along with Police Constables Dilipbhai Karamshibhai, Bharatbhai Mahipatbhai and Pankajbhai Dulabhai, were on patrol when they received information that Rozana Cafe, located off HP Ring Road in Gheljipura, was allegedly operating an illegal hookah bar,” officials said.

The tip-off stated that customers were being served hookahs containing nicotine-based tobacco flavours instead of herbal flavours.

Acting on the information, the police raided the premises and found the cafe owner, Praful Bharwad, 44, a resident of Vastrapur, at the site. “During the inspection, we found that an illegal hookah bar was operating from the cafe and initiated legal proceedings,” officials added.

The seized property included 33 containers and packets of various nicotine-based hookah flavours, including Afzal DBI, Afzal Pan Ras, Afzal Chief Commissioner, Al Fakher Lemon and Al Fakher Orange.

Police also confiscated 13 glass hookahs, 210 plastic filter pipes, 13 hookah hoses, charcoal-burning equipment, an iron scoop, steel tongs, aluminium foil and a QR code used at the establishment.

The total value of the seized material was estimated at Rs 66,855.

The police said the operation formed part of an ongoing campaign to curb illegal activities in the Sarkhej Police Station limits, particularly in view of security arrangements for the forthcoming Rath Yatra.

The latest action follows a series of similar crackdowns in Gujarat.

Earlier, police raided an illegal hookah bar at Bru Roast Cafe on SG Highway in Ahmedabad, where nicotine-based hookah products and equipment worth Rs 35,809 were seized.

In another case, the city Crime Branch had raided Big Daddy Cafe in the Bopal area, seizing nicotine-flavoured hookah products and equipment while initiating action against those running the establishment.

–IANS

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