A joint operation by Surat police and food safety officials has seized 1,694 kg of suspected adulterated ghee, along with raw materials, machinery and other equipment, from a makeshift warehouse in Abrama ahead of the Navratri-Diwali festive season. The total value of the seized stock and equipment was estimated at Rs 18.21 lakh.
Utran police raided warehouse No. 18 at Madhav Campus on Umra-Abrama Road after receiving a tip-off, according to the report. Officials alleged that suspected adulterated ghee was being manufactured and sold from the premises. The food safety department took possession of the seized material and initiated legal proceedings in connection with the suspected food adulteration.
Utran police inspector HR Goswami said three people had been arrested in the case. They were identified as Sunny Modi, 26, Kishan Modi, 26, and Kalpesh Modi, 47. The officer said all three were engaged in business.
The seized material included 795 kg of loose ghee valued at Rs 4.76 lakh and 900 kg of Saahas Premium Cow Ghee valued at Rs 5.4 lakh. Officials also confiscated 35 boxes of Dalda ghee, with each box weighing 15 kg, and valued the stock at Rs 1.15 lakh.
The operation also uncovered 32 boxes of refined soybean oil, each weighing 15 kg, with a stated value of Rs 97,408. In addition, officials seized 300 sachets of 35 ml Saahas Premium Ghee, valued at Rs 6,000. Machinery and equipment allegedly used in the manufacturing process were also taken during the raid.
The seizure comes before the Navratri-Diwali period, when demand for ghee and other cooking products typically becomes a focus of enforcement activity. In this case, however, the authorities have described the material as suspected adulterated ghee; the supplied report does not establish the final findings of laboratory testing or the outcome of the legal proceedings.
The case places responsibility on both enforcement agencies and food safety authorities to establish the composition of the seized products through the legal process. The next steps identified in the report are the continuation of legal proceedings and action by food safety officials in connection with the seized stock and materials.
