The police arrested three persons in relation to the incident (Representative Image). | Photo Credit: Reuters

Key Highlights Face masks were being washed and ironed for resale at a house in Virar The masks were to be sold in the market as N95 masks The officials said that they had received a tip-off about the accused washing and ironing the masks for resale in the market

Mumbai: The Chief Minister of Maharashtra has urged the citizens to step out of their homes during the lockdown while wearing cloth masks. While on one side, the administration is requesting the citizens to exercise caution during this time, there are some people who do not have any regard for their safety or the safety of others.

In Virar, the crime branch seized used masks that had been washed and ironed to be sold in the market. It is being suspected that the shortage of masks in the Vasai-Virar area prompted the accused to wash the masks and send them for resale.

Masks washed with detergent

The seizure was made from a home in Gadgapada, Virar (east). The masks had been washed with detergent in a washing machine. After being dried and ironed, they had been packed in cartons for sale in the market. All the masks confiscated by the officials were to be sold as N95 masks. According to The Times of India's report, the officials arrested three persons in relation to the incident.

The officials said that they raided the house after they received a tip-off about the incident. The raid was made by the Vasai unit of Palghar Local Crime Branch (LCB). The officials also seized the washing machine and iron used by the accused. Preliminary investigation revealed that the masks might have been brought from a godown in Bhiwandi.