Navi Mumbai: In a major crackdown under ‘Operation Prahar’, Navi Mumbai Police arrested seven drug peddlers and seized ganja worth Rs 40 lakh in a sweeping operation that involved simultaneous raids at 48 locations across the city.
“The coordinated action, carried out in the early hours of May 23, led to the seizure of approximately 20.7 kg of ganja and cash from the residences of the accused. Some peddlers had even buried the contraband in hidden pits inside their homes, which were discovered by the raiding teams,” Sr PI Sandeep Nigade, from Anti Narcotics Unit (ANU) said.
The operation was launched following directives from Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe, Joint CP Sanjay Yenpure, and Additional CP (Crime) Deepak Sakore, as part of the ongoing drive to create a drug-free Navi Mumbai.
The arrested individuals have been booked under relevant sections of the NDPS Act at Taloja, Kalamboli, Kharghar, Rabale MIDC-2, and Vashi-2 Police Stations. Efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend other suspects who fled during the raids.
The crackdown involved over 50 officers and 100 police personnel, including teams from Zones 1 and 2, the Anti-Narcotics Cell, and the Economic Offenses Wing, led by ACP Bhausaheb Dhole and Sr PI Sandeep Nigade.
In a previous operation in April, Navi Mumbai Police had busted an international drug syndicate, recovering hydro ganja worth Rs 2.72 crore. That case implicated customs officials, post office employees, private couriers (angadiyas), and even two police constables, with the syndicate operating via the dark web.
As the anti-narcotics drive intensifies, police have appealed to the public to participate actively in their ‘Drug-Free Navi Mumbai’ campaign and report suspicious activities through the helpline 8828-112-112.
