Police raid factory producing Chinese manja in Pandesara GIDC

Surat: Surat's Zone-4 Local Crime Branch (LCB) and Pandesara police jointly raided a factory named Angel Monofilament located in the Padesara GIDC area producing banned ‘Chinese thread' (manja) used for kite flying. The factory was manufacturing the thread on a large scale. During the raid, police seized goods worth Rs 50 lakh, including 5,700 reels of thread valued at Rs 10 lakh, which were ready for dispatch.
The seized reels included the popular ‘Mono Kite' brand, which has gained wide popularity among kite enthusiasts and is largely sold online. Authorities have informed the forest department, GST department, factory inspector, and forensic science lab (FSL) to investigate potential violations by the factory owner.
Zone-4 deputy commissioner of police Vijay Singh Gurjar told ToI:"Based on a tip-off, we learned that a company named Angel Monofilament was manufacturing Chinese manja under the guise of producing yarn. After verifying the information, we conducted a raid on Saturday and were shocked to find 49 workers involved in making this hazardous thread. We seized 277 boxes containing 5,700 reels worth Rs 10 lakh that were ready for shipment. In addition, we discovered 182 boxes containing other types of Chinese thread. We also found raw materials estimated to be ten times the amount of the seized goods, suggesting the total value may exceed Rs 50 lakh."
When questioned, production manager Pramod Mandal revealed that the factory is owned by Naresh Patel. However, Patel switched off his phone after being contacted by the police. According to investigators, the factory operates throughout the year, except for a brief period around the Uttarayan, to avoid detection.
"Authorities are usually more vigilant during Uttarayan, so the accused strategically avoided production during that time," Gurjar added. "We discovered multiple violations of various laws, including fake invoices, prompting us to notify the GST department. As there are potential breaches of the Environment Protection Act, we have also informed the forest department. FSL officials and the factory inspector have been called in. Once we receive reports from all concerned departments, a detailed FIR will be filed," he said.
Police also learned that the manufactured thread was being supplied to states such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. Computers and various documents were also seized and are currently under investigation. Statements of all 49 workers present at the factory were recorded. However, no arrests have been made so far.
Following the raid, the investigation has been handed over to Althan police inspector DD Chauhan, after coordination with Pandesara police.
Surat: Surat's Zone-4 Local Crime Branch (LCB) and Pandesara police jointly raided a factory named Angel Monofilament located in the Padesara GIDC area producing banned ‘Chinese thread' (manja) used for kite flying. The factory was manufacturing the thread on a large scale. During the raid, police seized goods worth Rs 50 lakh, including 5,700 reels of thread valued at Rs 10 lakh, which were ready for dispatch.
The seized reels included the popular ‘Mono Kite' brand, which has gained wide popularity among kite enthusiasts and is largely sold online. Authorities have informed the forest department, GST department, factory inspector, and forensic science lab (FSL) to investigate potential violations by the factory owner.
Zone-4 deputy commissioner of police Vijay Singh Gurjar told ToI:"Based on a tip-off, we learned that a company named Angel Monofilament was manufacturing Chinese manja under the guise of producing yarn. After verifying the information, we conducted a raid on Saturday and were shocked to find 49 workers involved in making this hazardous thread. We seized 277 boxes containing 5,700 reels worth Rs 10 lakh that were ready for shipment. In addition, we discovered 182 boxes containing other types of Chinese thread. We also found raw materials estimated to be ten times the amount of the seized goods, suggesting the total value may exceed Rs 50 lakh."
When questioned, production manager Pramod Mandal revealed that the factory is owned by Naresh Patel. However, Patel switched off his phone after being contacted by the police. According to investigators, the factory operates throughout the year, except for a brief period around the Uttarayan, to avoid detection.
"Authorities are usually more vigilant during Uttarayan, so the accused strategically avoided production during that time," Gurjar added. "We discovered multiple violations of various laws, including fake invoices, prompting us to notify the GST department. As there are potential breaches of the Environment Protection Act, we have also informed the forest department. FSL officials and the factory inspector have been called in. Once we receive reports from all concerned departments, a detailed FIR will be filed," he said.
Police also learned that the manufactured thread was being supplied to states such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. Computers and various documents were also seized and are currently under investigation. Statements of all 49 workers present at the factory were recorded. However, no arrests have been made so far.
Following the raid, the investigation has been handed over to Althan police inspector DD Chauhan, after coordination with Pandesara police.