Nagpur: The Nagpur Crime Branch busted an alleged drug peddling operation in Hudkeshwar, arresting one man with 7.590 grams of MD (Mephedrone) powder and seizing narcotics, cash and a motorcycle collectively worth around ₹1.75 lakh. Police are searching for the alleged supplier, who remains absconding.

The arrested accused has been identified as Sheikh Taj Sheikh Rahman Qureshi (44), a resident near Ekminar Masjid in Sakkardara.

According to police, a team from Crime Branch Unit 4 was patrolling the Hudkeshwar area around midnight on July 23 when it received information about a man selling MD drugs near Trimurti Bar on Umred Road. Acting swiftly, officers detained Qureshi while he was standing beside his Honda Shine motorcycle.

During the search, police recovered 7.590 grams of MD powder packed in a zip-lock pouch, ₹2,050 in cash, a mobile phone and the motorcycle. The total value of the seized property is estimated at nearly ₹1.75 lakh.

During interrogation, Qureshi allegedly disclosed that he had procured the MD from Ismail, a resident of Shivankar Nagar slum in Nandanvan. Police immediately raided the location, but the suspected supplier had already fled.

A search has been launched to trace the absconding accused, while investigators are probing the possibility of a larger narcotics distribution network operating in Nagpur.