The Gudiyatham Town police arrested R. Gothandapani, 52, on Sunday for running a banned tobacco manufacturing unit in Gudiyatham. Police found out that he had converted his terrace into a small unit and produced gutkha and hans for several years. These products were sold to traders and individuals in Ranipet, Kancheepuram, and Chennai. Following a tip-off, police searched his house and seized 350 kg of banned tobacco items and the equipment used for production. Gothandapani was taken into custody and lodged in Central Prison, Vellore. A case has been registered and investigations are ongoing.