Pune Rural Police Seize 98 kg of Ganja Worth Rs 50 Lakh in Kamshet Operation

Reported By Varad Bhatkhande

Kamshet, 24th August 2024: In a significant operation under the Sankalp Nashamukti Abhiyan, Pune Rural Police have confiscated 98 kg of ganja (marijuana) valued at nearly Rs 50 lakh. The operation was conducted by officials from the Kamshet Police Station, resulting in the arrest of four individuals. A Hyundai Verna, used for transporting the narcotics, was also seized. The operation took place in Malavali, near Lonavala.

The Kamshet Police have arrested Abhishek Anil Nagawade (24), Pradeep Narayan Namdas (25), Yogesh Rameshalgad (32), and Vaibhav Sanjeevan Chede (23), all residents of Karegaon, Shirur. A case has been registered under the relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985.

According to police reports, on Thursday, August 22, a confidential source of Police Inspector Ravindra Patil from Kamshet Police Station informed him that four individuals in a silver-coloured Hyundai Verna were transporting ganja near Malavali. Two teams were formed to apprehend the suspects. The police identified the Hyundai Verna with registration number MH 14 GY 0550 at the location. Upon interception, they discovered 98 kg of ganja worth Rs 48.50 lakh. The car, valued at Rs 8 lakh, along with mobile phones and other items, were also confiscated, bringing the total value of the seized goods to Rs 56.92 lakh. Police Inspector Ravindra Patil is leading the ongoing investigation.

This case is part of the Sankalp Nashamukti Abhiyan, launched in Lonavala to combat drug addiction and abuse. Over the past year, 71 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act, involving 102 individuals, with goods worth Rs 1 crore 96 lakh seized to date.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh, Additional Superintendent of Police Ramesh Chopade, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Satyasai Karthik. The team, led by Police Inspector Ravindra Patil, included Police Sub-Inspector Shubham Chavan, Assistant Police Sub-Inspector Nitesh Kadam, and Police Constables Ravindra Raval, Jitendra Dixit, Sameer Kare, Ravindra Roy, Ganesh Taware, Prateek Kale, Ganesh Thakur, Shivaji Takale, Sachin Nimbalkar, Pavan Doiphode, and Home Guards Sushil Lokhande and Ramdas Potphode.