A man was arrested in Thane district for allegedly procuring swab sample collection sticks and then getting them packed in an unhygienic manner for further distribution amid the COVID-19 pandemic, police said on Friday.

Manish Keshwani of Ulhasnagar was held on Thursday after it was found that he had got the sticks at Rs 20 per thousand pieces from households and was getting them packed through women and children in violation of outbreak protocols, an official said.