An alleged haul of beef and cattle hide worth around Rs 16 lakh was seized here today from a truck bound for Tamil Nadu with seven persons having been arrested in this connection, police said.
A truck bearing Tamil Nadu registration plates (TN52 F1507) and carrying around 24,000kg of "beef" and "skins of bullocks and buffaloes" was impounded in the wee hours on the Nashik-Pune highway, said Police Inspector Sanjay Sanap of Nashik Police's Crime Branch Unit-3.
The vehicle was intercepted during night patrolling by police. The driver was found plying the truck without the necessary documents, the officer added.
"We have arrested the driver, one Jairam V Virappan, and six others, four of whom are locals," he said.
A case under Sections 5C and 9A of the state's Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act and relevant sections of IPC has been registered at Upnagar police station and inquiries are underway in this regard, police said.
The Maharashtra Animal Preservation (Amendment) Act, which bans slaughter of bulls and bullocks, was enforced by the BJP- led government on March 4.
Under the law, anyone found selling beef or possessing it can be jailed for up to five years and fined Rs 10,000.
