In a major crackdown on the illegal gutkha trade, the Palghar Police seized gutkha worth Rs 38.92 lakh and arrested three people on Monday.

The operation was led by Manor Police Station Inspector Dnyaneshwar Chavan under the guidance of Palghar Superintendent of Police (SP) Anil Paraskar and Additional SP Rajendra Mane. Acting on credible intelligence, the team intercepted a vehicle near the Vasai-Virar Bridge on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway around 5 pm. The driver and two accomplices attempted to flee but were apprehended.