Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Crime Branch Nabs Two College Students in Major Narcotics Bust
In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the crime branch of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city police apprehended two college students on Tuesday morning and confiscated a substantial quantity of hydroponic ganja valued at approximately Rs 28.5 lakh. The operation, conducted near Baba Petrol Pump, led to the seizure of 285 grams of the high-potency cannabis variant, along with other incriminating evidence.
Details of the Accused and Seized Items
The arrested individuals have been identified as Om Ravindra Shinde, a 23-year-old MBA (finance) student residing in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Colony, N-4, and Rajveer Charan Singh Birag, a 20-year-old first-year computer science engineering student living near Hanuman Mandir in the N-4 area. According to police reports, both accused hail from well-off families, raising concerns about the involvement of privileged youth in illicit activities.
In addition to the narcotics, authorities recovered a digital weighing scale, a red bag, two smartphones, and a motorcycle from the suspects. The total estimated value of all seized items, including the hydroponic ganja, amounts to Rs 29.51 lakh, underscoring the high-stakes nature of this operation.
Operation and Police Investigation
The crime branch acted on a credible tip-off, intercepting the duo between Lokhandi Pool (iron bridge) and Baba Petrol Pump at 10:20 AM. During the search, officers discovered a plastic carry bag wrapped in brown adhesive tape, which contained eight small transparent zip-lock pouches filled with hydroponic ganja, weighing a total of 285 grams.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ratnakar Navale emphasized the premium value of the seized substance, noting that hydroponic ganja commands nearly Rs 10,000 per gram in the illegal market. He explained, "Hydroponic ganja is a high-potency variant of cannabis grown in controlled environments without soil, making it particularly sought after by users."
Alarming Trend Among Educated Youth
City Police Commissioner Pravin Pawar highlighted a disturbing pattern emerging from the preliminary investigation. "Youths belonging to well-off families and studying in reputable colleges were sourcing this hydroponic ganja," Pawar stated, pointing to a concerning shift in drug trafficking demographics involving academically inclined individuals from affluent backgrounds.
Crime Branch Police Inspector Gajanan Kalyankar revealed that the accused were allegedly planning to distribute the contraband to other youths. "The duo were in contact with a few others and intended to sell the hydroponic ganja in small quantities to the latter," Kalyankar said, indicating an organized effort to proliferate the drug within student circles.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Probe
An FIR has been registered at Kranti Chowk police station under sections 8(C), 20(B), and 29 of the NDPS Act, based on a complaint filed by Sub-Inspector Abhijit Chikhilikar of the crime branch. Police Sub-Inspector Kishor Tanpure is leading the investigation to trace the supply network and identify additional individuals involved in this narcotics racket, aiming to dismantle the broader operation.
This arrest underscores the vigilance of law enforcement in combating drug-related crimes and serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive challenges posed by narcotics trafficking, even among seemingly privileged segments of society. The case continues to develop as authorities delve deeper into the supply chain and potential connections.
