Nagpur: In a major crackdown on the narcotics trade, Beltarodi police arrested four persons after recovering 18.34 grams of MD (Mephedrone) drug from a car parked near a roadside dhaba in the Khapri area along Nagpur-Wardha Road. The police seized the contraband, two mobile phones and the vehicle, with the total value of the confiscated property estimated at Rs 16.06 lakh.
The action was carried out by the Beltarodi police investigation team during routine patrolling between 9.30 am and 10 am on November 10. While patrolling the police station limits, the team noticed a white Maruti Ertiga (registration number CG-08-Y-5760) parked outside New Punjabi Dhaba near Bharat Petrol Pump in Khapri. The occupants of the vehicle appeared suspicious, prompting the policemen to approach and inspect the car.
Four persons were found inside the vehicle. They were identified as Bhushan Ramesh Kursange (36), a resident of Chichbhavan, Wardha Road; Nitesh Subhash Shahu (26), a resident of Dahegaon Rangari, Saoner Road; Saurabh Satish Laskare (23), a resident near Bobde Atta Chakki, Chichbhavan; and Mohit Gajanan Bhajipale (23), a resident near Zaika Hotel, Dongargaon, Wardha Road, all in Nagpur.
Suspecting that the occupants were carrying narcotic substances, the police initiated a search in the presence of independent panch witnesses while strictly following the mandatory procedures prescribed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
During the search, police allegedly recovered 18.34 grams of MD powder concealed in a white zip-lock pouch kept in the pocket of the lower trousers worn by accused No. 1, Bhushan Kursange.
When questioned about the contraband, the accused allegedly disclosed that they had brought the MD powder for sale. Police said the accused were found in possession of the narcotic substance for commercial gain.
The seizure included 18.34 grams of MD powder, two mobile phones and the Maruti Ertiga car. The total value of the seized property was assessed at Rs 16,06,700.
A background check further revealed that Kursange was a history-sheeter with previous criminal records, according to police.
Following the recovery, Beltarodi police registered an offence against all four accused under Sections 8(c), 22(b) and 29 of the NDPS Act, pertaining to possession of narcotic substances, contravention involving psychotropic substances and criminal conspiracy or abetment.
All four accused have been arrested, and further investigation is underway to establish the source of the MD supply, identify the intended buyers and ascertain whether the accused were part of a wider drug distribution network operating in Nagpur and its surrounding areas.
