Used masks, washed & ironed for sale, seized from Virar

Sandhya Nair | TNN | Updated: Apr 14, 2020, 14:49 IST

The masks are believed to have been picked up from a godown in Bhiwandi.

MUMBAI: Virar police seized used masks that were washed, ironed and ready to be sold in the market.
The Vasai-Virar region has seen a spike in Covid-19 cases with four deaths and 47 positive cases. There is a huge demand for face masks which is in short supply.
The district administration, while making masks mandatory while stepping out during the lockdown, has recommended home-made masks, including cloth and handkerchiefs.
The used masks were seized from a home in Gadgapada, Virar (east) where it were washed in a washing machine using detergent powder.
The masks were later ironed and packed in cartons to be sold in the market. The masks were being sold as N-95 masks. Three persons have been arrested.
Acting on a tip-off the Vasai unit of the Palghar Local Crime Branch (LCB) raided the house and seized the masks. The washing machine and iron were also seized.
The masks are believed to have been picked up from a godown in Bhiwandi. Huge consignment of used masks were seized from a godown in Bhiwandi last month. The Narpoli police had then arrested a 20-year-old man.
Police said that they are ascertaining where the used masks were to be sold. Police said that the original masks (before it was dumped after use) would be worth Rs 50 lakhs.