Murud Police have busted an inter-state drug network by arresting 13 individuals and seizing over 2.6 kilograms of charas valued at Rs. 13.61 lakh.
The operation began on the night of June 29, when police stopped a scooter (MH-48/BK-9251) during routine checks at Shighram Check Post. The vehicle was being driven by Alwan Nisar Dafedar (19), a resident of Siddhi Mohalla, Murud. His pillion rider, later identified as Raju Khopatkar of Gavdevi Pakhadi, Murud, fled the scene, raising suspicions. A subsequent search of the scooter revealed 776 grams of charas concealed in the under-seat storage. A case was immediately registered under NDPS Act Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(B), and 29 at Murud Police Station.
During investigation, Dafedar confessed to being part of a larger network. Police identified Vishal Ramkishan Jaiswal (27), a native of Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, as the primary supplier. He had allegedly been sourcing charas from Nepal and Uttar Pradesh and distributing it in Maharashtra through a local network involving Anup Jaiswal, Anuj Jaiswal, and others.
Additional accused arrested in the case include Ashish Avinash Dige from Kashid, Pranit Pandurang Shigwan from Sarve, Anas Imtiyaz Kable from Peth Mohalla, Vedant Vilas Patil from Mazgaon, Sahil Dildar Nadkar from Roha, Anil Band Patil from Kalyan, Sunil Budhaji Shelar from Kalyan, Raju Khopatkar and Khubi Makhansingh Baghel from Murud.
According to police, Vishal Jaiswal operated as the main dealer, while his accomplices Anup and Anuj Jaiswal managed distribution through regional peddlers. The network was involved in the transportation, sale, and circulation of narcotic substances across districts.
The total seizure in the case includes 2.659 kilograms of charas recovered from various accused, with an estimated market value of Rs. 13.61 lakh.
The investigation was led under the supervision of Raigad Superintendent of Police Aanchal Dalal, Additional SP Abhijit Shivthare, and SDPO (Alibag-Pen Division). The local operation was carried out by PI Parshuram Kamble (Murud Police Station), API Vijaykumar Deshmukh, PSI Avinash Patil, and officers Janardan Gadmale, Hari Mengal, Kishor Bathare, and Atul Barve.
"All 13 accused are currently in police custody, and further investigations are underway to trace other links in the drug supply chain," Dalal said.
