Gang of mask hoarders busted

Mumbai, March 24

The Mumbai police today busted a gang of blackmarketeers who had hoarded face masks worth Rs 15 crore for sale at inflated prices.

According to the police, sleuths from the crime branch were tipped off about the gang that had hoarded face masks, including those of N95 variety, meant for healthcare personnel.

“The gang was planning to export these to foreign countries apart from selling these in the local market,” state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh told reporters today.

In all, over 25 lakh masks were seized. The cheap two-ply single use mask costing Rs 2 was to be sold for Rs 25 each to unsuspecting people, Deshmukh said. The police said the crime branch first seized more than 3 lakh N95 masks from a godown near the air-cargo division of the Mumbai airport.

Following interrogation of Mihir Darshan Patel, a customs agent, who had stashed the masks with the intention of exporting those abroad, more than 22 lakh masks were seized from a godown in Bhiwandi. — TNS