Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
In a decisive move to dismantle the growing drug racket in the city, the city police have initiated preparations to take bulldozer action against illegal properties and encroachments linked to drug peddlers and their agents. A list of over 46 most-wanted drug dealers and agents has been prepared. The municipal corporation will be formally approached to initiate action against encroachments, unauthorised properties, and pending dues such as property tax and water charges. Over the past 20 days, police commissioner Pravin Pawar and deputy commissioner of police Ratnakar Navale have launched an extensive crackdown to uproot networks involved in drug peddling and smuggling. Following the first major action on January 25, the Crime Branch, led by senior police inspector Gajanan Kalyankar, arrested 16 accused persons by February 7 and seized narcotics worth Rs 13 lakh. The alleged kingpin of the racket, Ashfaq Patel, is currently absconding. The Crime Branch has now begun preparations to demolish illegal properties and houses linked to him and his associates. Officials stated that a detailed proposal, including the names of the accused, their residential addresses, and information about other properties, will soon be submitted to the municipal corporation for further action.