By Tejas

Pune, August 18, 2024: The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) has made a significant breakthrough in a recent Mephedrone seizure case by apprehending a key smuggler from Gujarat, believed to be the mastermind behind the drug distribution network in Pune. The smuggler, identified as Mohammad Aslam Mohammad Ismail Merchant, hails from Jambusar in Bharuch district, Gujarat. His arrest comes as a crucial development following the seizure of a mephedrone worth Rs 1 crore from Pune's Vishrantwadi area.

A few days ago, the ANC received a tip-off about a substantial stock of mephedrone being stored in a flat in the Lohgaon area of Vishrantwadi. Acting on this information, the ANC raided the location and seized 471 grams of mephedrone. Initial investigations revealed that the drugs were being delivered across Pune through couriers, leading to the arrest of four individuals, namely Srinivas Santosh Godje, Rohit Bende, Nimish Abnave, and Vishwanath Konapure, an employee of a courier company.

Further interrogation pointed to Nimish Abnave as the local dealer behind the mephedrone distribution in Pune. During the police interrogation, it was uncovered that the drugs were being supplied by Mohammad Merchant, a main smuggler from Gujarat with a wide network across the country.

Following this lead, a police team from Pune was dispatched to Bharuch, Gujarat, where they laid a trap and successfully detained Mohammad Merchant. His arrest is expected to uncover more details about the drug trafficking network operating in various parts of the country.

This operation was led by Police Inspector Ulhas Kadam of the ANC, with support from Assistant Inspector Nitin Naik, Sub-Inspectors Digambar Kokate, Avinash Lahote, Nitesh Jadhav, Dayanand Telange, and Avinash Konde. The entire operation was conducted under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Police Shailesh Balakwade, Deputy Commissioner of Crime Branch Nikhil Pingle, and Assistant Commissioner Ganesh Ingle.