Rs663m worth of banned chew seized in 2025

The sale of Mainpuri and Gutka in Hyderabad Division remains rampant, according to police statistics. The Hyderabad Range police reported the registration of 4,601 FIRs and the confiscation of banned items worth Rs663 million from traders in 2025. Although the number of FIRs sounds significant, the financial loss of Rs663 million spread across 6,217 traders amounts to just over Rs100,000 per trader.

DIG Hyderabad Tariq Razzak Dharejo shared the statistics on Thursday, stating that police confiscated 24,867 kilograms of Mainpuri, 119,538 kilograms of Gutka, and 186,915 kilograms of raw materials.

The trade and consumption of these banned substances, which can cause serious illnesses including cancer, is criminalised under the Sindh Prohibition of Preparation, Sale of Gutka and Mainpuri Act, 2019. This law was enacted in compliance with a Sindh High Court order, but enforcement remains weak, with even children reportedly able to access these products.

In addition to targeting banned chewable products, Hyderabad Range police claimed to have clamped down on drug abuse, arresting 4,819 drug peddlers and registering 3,828 FIRs.

However, recoveries of narcotics such as ice and heroin remained low, with only 29.16 kg of ice and 1.8 kg of heroin seized. Authorities also recovered 1,754 kg of hashish and 1.6 kg of opium, comparatively cheaper drugs.

During the year, Hyderabad Range police, whose jurisdiction spans nine districts, reported 401 encounters, resulting in the busting of 346 gangs of outlaws.

These confrontations left 24 suspects killed and 141 injured, while three police officers were martyred and 12 injured.

The Dadu District witnessed the highest number of encounters at 188, followed by Thatta (71), Jamshoro (55), and Hyderabad (49). Additionally, 1,226 people were booked for possession of illegal weapons.