Four held with MD drugs worth Rs 10.79 lakh

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Acting on a tip-off that a suspect would arrive in the Buddi Lane area to sell MD drugs, the city crime branch laid a trap and seized contraband worth over Rs 10.79 lakhs. The operation was carried out around 5 pm on Saturday near Nehru Bhavan in Buddi Lane. Four accused have been arrested in connection with the case, senior police inspector Gajanan Kalyankar of the crime branch informed.

The arrested accused have been identified as Sohel Shaikh (24, Osmanpura), Salman Shaikh (26, Kiradpura), Abdul Rehman (26, Kiradpura), and Shaikh Junaid (23, Kiradpura). Another accused, Farhan, is currently absconding. According to police,police sub-inspector Arjun Kadam received specific information that Salman Shaikh would be arriving in Buddi Lane with associates to sell MD drugs. A trap was accordingly set near Nehru Bhavan, close to Pasha Hotel. As soon as the four suspects reached the spot, the team detained them and conducted a search. During the search, 49.31 grams of MD powder was recovered from Sohel Shaikh. Cash and mobile phones were also seized from the other accused. In total, contraband and other materials worth over Rs 10.79 lakhs were confiscated. Preliminary interrogation revealed that Salman Shaikh and his brother Sohel were allegedly involved in drug distribution together. Based on a complaint filed by police sub-inspector Pravin Wagh, a case has been registered at the City Chowk police station.

The operation was conducted under the leadership of PI Gajanan Kalyankar, with the team comprising API Ravikant Gacche, police sub-inspectors Pravin Wagh and others.

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Further probe underway

Police are investigating the source of the narcotics and the intended buyers. Efforts are on to trace the supply chain and uncover the larger network behind the operation. Further investigation is being carried out by sub-inspector Budha Shinde.