Nashik police arrested three individuals and recovered 320 grams of mephedrone (MD) worth over Rs 18 lakh in two separate operations on Thursday night. The anti-narcotics cell and Upnagar police conducted simultaneous raids following specific intelligence inputs.
First Operation: Two Arrested with 200g MD
Acting on a tip-off that individuals from Rajasthan were arriving in the Nashik Road area with a large quantity of MD, Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik directed officers to lay a trap. A team from the anti-narcotics cell and anti-gunda squad intercepted two suspects on a motorcycle near Upnagar police station limits. The suspects attempted to flee but were chased and apprehended. A search revealed 200 grams of MD valued at Rs 10.7 lakh.
The arrested individuals were identified as Punaram Hiraram Bishnoi (36) and Shravankumar Lakharam Bishnoi (29), both residents of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. A case was registered against them at Upnagar Police Station under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Second Operation: Third Accused Arrested, 120g MD Seized
In a separate operation based on confidential information received by Senior Police Inspector Jayant Shirsat of Upnagar police, a raid was conducted at a residence near Madhav Lawns. The accused, identified as Suresh Punaram Godara (27) of Nashik Road, was arrested. Police seized 120 grams of MD worth over Rs 6 lakh, along with other articles valued at Rs 93,000.
Total Seizures and Awareness Campaign
Across the two operations, police confiscated a total of 320 grams of MD and other materials, with a combined value exceeding Rs 18.3 lakh. Commissioner Karnik emphasized that the department is running a 'say no to drugs' awareness campaign ahead of the International Day Against Drug Abuse on June 26. "We are appealing to citizens to use their social media platforms to spread awareness about the hazardous effects of drug abuse," Karnik stated.
To encourage public participation, the Nashik City Police has organized a digital content competition. The individual who creates and shares the most impactful and creative anti-drug social media post will be rewarded by the police.
