Illegal biodiesel trading remains unabated in the state, despite continued efforts to clamp down on such activities. The state surveillance cell recently seized more than 1 lakh liters of illicit biodiesel during raids conducted at Utran and Sachin GIDC in Surat, leading to confiscation of goods valued at over Rs 1.20 crore.
The GIDC police were taken by surprise in Utran and Sachin, where the state surveillance team uncovered the prohibited biodiesel operations running within the limits of the Sachin GIDC and Utran police stations. This led to the arrest of four individuals involved in the illegal trade, from whom goods worth over Rs 1.20 crore were seized. A significant amount of the seizure included 1,30,330 liters of adulterated biodiesel.
This nefarious trade, catering to various vehicles including luxury buses, was operational within the jurisdictions of two distinct police stations. The targeted raids were carried out in Gopin village and at plot number 835/1 on road number 8 of Sachin GIDC, situated within the boundaries of the Utran police station. The surveillance cell also took control of plot number 835/1 of Payal Industries in GIDC, resulting in the seizure of three vehicles.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Hitesh Praveen Coldiya, Ravi Rajmani Mishra, Nazibhai Dabhubhai Mitra, and Mahesh Rajabhai Goyani. However, the authorities are still in pursuit of several others, with Alpesh Babubhai Donda, Lalit Babubhai Donda, Sanjay Madhubhai Tavia, Deepak Madhubhai Tavia, Travels owner Rukkadbhai Rabari, and Travels manager Jitubhai Devjibhai Khishiya now listed as wanted.
