In a significant crackdown on illegal arms, the Thane police have successfully apprehended three individuals, including a teenager, and recovered a cache of weapons and a stolen motorcycle in two distinct operations conducted over consecutive days.
Teenager Nabbed in Naupada for Interstate Arms Trafficking
The police action commenced on December 13 when the Naupada police unit, acting on specific intelligence inputs, set up a trap on the service road at Naupada. Their target was an individual suspected of trafficking firearms from another state. After a brief chase, the police team managed to apprehend the suspect.
The arrested individual was identified as Kunal Gopal Yadav (19), a resident of Madhya Pradesh. A search of his belongings led to the recovery of a country-made pistol and one live cartridge. Following his arrest, a formal case was registered against him under the relevant sections of the Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act. The court has remanded Yadav to police custody until December 16 for further investigation.
Crime Branch Duo Caught with Stolen Bike and Weapons
In a follow-up operation the very next day, December 14, officials from Crime Branch Unit 5 swung into action based on a tip-off. They laid a trap near Ranjanoli Naka in Bhiwandi and intercepted two men who were riding a motorcycle that had been reported stolen. The theft case for that motorcycle was originally registered at the Kamothe police station.
The two accused were identified as Wasiullah Chaudhary (45) and Himanshu Raju Verma (24). Both are currently residing in Navi Mumbai but originally hail from Uttar Pradesh. A thorough search of the duo led to a major seizure. The police recovered two firearms and seven live cartridges from their possession. The total estimated value of the seized weapons is Rs 81,400.
Total Haul and Legal Action
Combining the value of the stolen motorcycle with the firearms, the total property seized in this second operation amounts to approximately Rs 1.5 lakh. The police have registered a case against Chaudhary and Verma at the Kon Gaon police station. Similar to the first case, they have been charged under the Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act.
These back-to-back successful operations highlight the Thane police's proactive stance against the illegal arms trade and organized crime. The seizures prevent these weapons from potentially being used in serious criminal activities, thereby enhancing public safety in the region. The investigations in both cases are ongoing as authorities probe the sources of the firearms and possible wider networks.
