A Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) vice president from Bhiwandi has been arrested for allegedly possessing 3 kg 960 grams of ganja worth over ₹1 lakh and smuggling it within the Bhiwandi area. The accused has been identified as Kumar Pujari (34), who holds the post of vice president of MNS in Bhiwandi.
The police confiscated a mobile phone, ganja, and cash from his possession. Following his arrest, the incident sparked reactions from political activists and members of other political parties, creating a stir in the political circle.
According to the Bhiwandi Crime Branch Unit, they received a tip-off about a man allegedly possessing and selling ganja in the locality. Acting on the information, a team raided an open area in Kombadpada, Bhiwandi. Upon checking Pujari, they found ganja in his possession. The preliminary investigation revealed that he had been selling it in the area.
He was taken to the Crime Branch office, and a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against him under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act at Nizampura Police Station.
Shriraj Mali, Police Sub-Inspector from the Bhiwandi Crime Branch, said, “We arrested Pujari on Friday, produced him in court on Saturday, and obtained his police custody. During interrogation, it was revealed that he had been involved in the illegal trade for the past six months.”
The Crime Branch is currently probing the source of the ganja and the individuals to whom Pujari was supplying it.
