By Tejas

Pune, August 10, 2024:The growing issue of drug circulation in Pune has once again come to the forefront, with a significant bust in the Vishrantwadi area. In a major operation this morning, Pune Police seized 471 grams of mephedrone with an estimated value exceeding Rs 1 crore. The anti-narcotics squad of the Pune police crime branch arrested three individuals in connection with the case.

The suspects, identified as Srinivas Santosh Godje, Rohit Shantaram Bende, and Nimish Subhash Abnave, were apprehended from Vighnaharta Apartment in Lohegaon. The case has been registered at the Vishrantwadi police station, where further investigations are underway. There is growing speculation about the possible involvement of an international drug racket behind this operation.

This latest seizure has added to the growing anxiety among Pune's residents, who have been increasingly concerned about the city's drug problem. Pune has been frequently in the news for drug-related crimes, with recent high-profile cases exacerbating the issue.

Notably, in September of last year, the police uncovered one of the city's largest drug rackets in the Lalit Pati case, seizing 1.71 kg of mephedrone worth approximately Rs 2.14 crore.

Recently, in June, a viral video surfaced showing minors consuming drugs at the washrooms of the Liquid Leisure Lounge restaurant, further highlighting the persistent drug menace in Pune. These incidents continue to raise questions about the effectiveness of local law enforcement in combating the drug crisis.