Pune Rural Police Seize 48 kg of Ganja in Major Drug Bust Near Lonavala
Lonavala, 12th July 2024: In a significant operation led by IPS Satyasai Karthik to combat drug consumption in Maval Taluka, Pune Rural Police seized 48 kilograms of ganja (marijuana) worth over Rs 9 lakh. Additionally, three individuals have been detained. The operation took place yesterday at Karla Phata near Lonavala.
Police Sub-Inspector Shubham Chavan reported the incident to Lonavala Rural Police Station. The arrested individuals are Nitin Shivaji Lehne (38, resident of Beed), Sandipan Patloba Gatte (39, resident of Beed), and Ganesh Suresh Darade (30, resident of Beed). A case has been registered against them under the relevant sections of The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985.
Since IPS Satyasai Karthik assumed the role of Assistant Superintendent of Police for the Lonavala Sub-Division, he has conducted multiple raids on illegal businesses and taken legal action against criminals. To curb addiction among the youth in Maval Taluka, various measures have been taken against drug peddlers and sellers under IPS Karthik’s campaign against addiction.
In one of these raids, IPS Karthik received information from a confidential source that individuals were selling ganja from four-wheelers near Karla Phata in the Lonavala area. As a result, police officials were stationed in the area since midnight. At 3:05 AM, near Tejas Dhaba on the Old Mumbai Pune Highway, a suspected vehicle was intercepted by a team of Pune Rural Police. Upon inspection, they discovered 48 kilograms of ganja worth Rs 9,20,000, intended for sale. Including the car and the ganja, the total seizure was valued at Rs 14,60,000.
The police detained the three accused, and Police Sub-Inspector Sagar Aragade from Lonavala Rural Police Station is investigating the matter further.
This operation was conducted under the guidance of Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh and Additional Superintendent of Police Ramesh Chopade. The team included Assistant Superintendent of Police Satyasai Karthik, Police Sub-Inspector Shubham Chavan, and Police Constables Nitesh (Bunty) Kawade, Ankush Naykude, Datta Shinde, Ganesh Yelwande, Subhash Shinde, and Mahesh Thorat.
