Palghar, Maharashtra: In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, the Anti-Extortion Unit of the Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar Crime Branch has arrested two individuals, one of them a Nepali national and seized 911 grams of charas (hashish) valued at ₹36.44 lakh.
The operation followed specific directives from senior police officials to intensify action against drug distribution in the Commissionerate. Acting on instructions from Police Inspector Rahul Rakh, Assistant Police Inspector Vijayendra Ambavade received a tip-off on July 14 that two suspects would arrive at Navkar City Phase-2 in Naigaon East to sell charas.
A trap was laid at Zishan Star Arcade in Navkar City Phase-2 by the Anti-Extortion Unit, working under the supervision of senior officers. The team apprehended Prakash Srikant Thapa (46), a Nepali national residing in Naigaon East, and Mohammad Wahid Shamim Shaikh (27), also from the same area.
A search conducted in the presence of independent witnesses revealed that Thapa was in possession of 911 grams of charas, along with a mobile phone and other items, taking the total value of recovered property to ₹36,88,495. His associate Shaikh was found with a mobile phone worth ₹15,000. The combined value of seized items from both individuals is ₹37,03,945.
A detailed seizure report (panchanama) was prepared at the scene, and a case has been registered at Naigaon Police Station under Sections 8(c) and 20(b)(ii)(B) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Both the accused and the confiscated materials have been handed over to Naigaon Police for further legal action.
