Surgical masks worth Rs 12 lakh seized; one arrested

Mumbai police on Wednesday seized 81,000 three-ply surgical masks which were stocked for sale in the black market in the view of coronavirus outbreak and arrested a man in connection with the case.

Mumbai:In the time of crisis over shortage of face masks and hand sanitisers, Mumbai police on Wednesday seized 81,000 three ply surgical masks which were stocked for sale in the black market.

As per reports, the sleuths of Crime Branch of Mumbai Police arrested a 35-year-old man, in connection with the seizure.

The 35-year-old man namely Naushad Kamal Shaikh, was arrested from Dharavi in Central Mumbai, in connection with the seizure, police official said.

During the preliminary investigation it was transpired that the masks, numbering 81,000, were stocked for sale in the black market at higher prices in view of the coronavirus outbreak, the official added.

The seized masks value as per international market is said to be over Rs 12 lakh, he further said.

Face masks are classified as essential commodity and storing them in large numbers in an offence.

Police have booked the accused under the essential commodities act and further investigations into the matter is underway.

The outbreak of coronavirus has led a spike in demand for masks.

With inputs from PTI