In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the Pune City Police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) has successfully seized a substantial quantity of narcotics with an estimated street value of ₹2 lakh. The operation, conducted on a recent Saturday, led to the arrest of two individuals allegedly involved in the illicit trade.
Details of the Police Operation
The police action was spearheaded by a team from the ANC's unit 4, operating under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amol Zende. Acting on specific intelligence about drug peddling activities in the Kothrud area, officers laid a strategic trap. The operation culminated near the Kothrud bus depot, where the suspects were apprehended.
Upon searching the individuals, the police recovered 20 grams of mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant drug commonly known as MD or Meow Meow. The confiscated substance has a significant market value, pegged at approximately ₹2 lakh. The two arrested accused have been identified as Rahul alias Chintu Shinde (26) and Akshay Kisan Shinde (22), both residents of areas within Pune city.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Following the arrest, the police have registered a formal case against the duo under the stringent Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. This legislation prescribes severe penalties for the production, possession, sale, purchase, transport, and use of illicit substances. The accused were subsequently produced before a local court, which has ordered them to be remanded in police custody. This custody will allow investigators to conduct a deeper probe, aiming to uncover the source of the drugs, their distribution network, and identify potential links to larger organized crime syndicates operating in the region.
Ongoing War Against Drugs in Pune
This seizure is part of a sustained and intensified campaign by the Pune Police to eradicate the menace of narcotics from the city. The Anti-Narcotics Cell has been actively conducting raids and operations based on tip-offs and surveillance. The successful bust underscores the department's commitment to creating a drug-free environment and protecting the youth from the dangers of substance abuse. Police officials have reiterated their warning to drug peddlers, emphasizing that such activities will be met with strict legal action. They have also encouraged citizens to continue providing confidential information to aid in these efforts.
The recovery of drugs worth a substantial sum like ₹2 lakh from a single operation indicates the scale of the challenge. It highlights the persistent demand and supply chains that law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to dismantle. Each such seizure potentially disrupts the local drug economy and prevents harmful substances from reaching consumers.
