Pune City Police on Tuesday destroyed a large quantity of drugs worth ₹7.76 crore, confiscated in 57 NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) cases across nine police stations in the city, officials said.
The disposal took place at the Ranjangaon MIDC area in Pune district in the presence of officials from the Pollution Control Board, Excise and Revenue Departments, forensics and police, they added.
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The total weight of the drugs was 788.954 kg, valued ₹7.76 crore, including ganja (748.333 kg), mephedrone (1.184 kg), ephedrine (706 grams), cocaine (242.4 grams), LSD (54.009 grams), charas (185 grams), opium straw (21.345 kg), heroin (324.300 grams) and ganja based banta tablets (6.578 kg).
Before the destruction of the drugs, Amitesh Kumar, Pune Police Commissioner, addressed a press conference and gave details to the media.
He said, "The destruction process will be done in the presence of a Drug Disposal Committee at Maharashtra Enviro Power Limited at Ranjangaon MIDC, where the narcotics will be incinerated in a furnace. Furthermore, an assistant chemical analyser from the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Pune, along with an official from the State Excise Department, and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, will be also present."
"The biggest haul of 1,800 kilograms of mephedrone, valued at ₹3,700 crore, which was seized in February last year, will be also destroyed. Almost all required procedures have been completed. This massive drug disposal operation underscores the commitment of Pune Police to combat the narcotics trade and maintain public safety. Drug sales, drug consumption and drug peddling are strictly prohibited. Pune Police will not tolerate this nuisance. To ensure transparency, an official government photographer/videographer will also be present," he added.
Police Inspector Ulhas Kadam, Anti-Narcotics Squad-1, Crime Branch and Assistant Police Inspector Sujit Wadekar, along with their teams, played a crucial role in coordinating this operation.
