Nagpur: In a major action against narcotics trade, the Crime Branch’s Anti-Narcotics Squad arrested a 24-year-old youth from Wathoda for possession of mephedrone (MD) powder worth ₹8.37 lakh. The action was taken late on Wednesday night under Operation Thunder – “Let’s Unite for a Drug-Free Society”, an anti-drug campaign initiated by Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal.

According to police, between 10 pm and 11.45 pm on August 27, the anti-narcotics team received a tip-off about drug activity near Jai Bajrang Kirana Stores, behind Swami Narayan Temple, Shravan Nagar, Wathoda. Acting swiftly, the squad laid a trap and intercepted a man standing near a Hyundai Verna car and a moped.

The suspect identified himself as Suraj Bhim Kosare (24), resident of Shravan Nagar, Wathoda. On searching him, police recovered 55 grams of MD powder in a zip-lock packet. Along with the narcotics, police also seized a mobile phone, Hyundai Verna car, and moped – all together valued at ₹8,37,650.

During interrogation, Kosare revealed that he procured the MD powder with the help of his associate Ashish Dilip Kale (32), resident of Chaitanyeshwar Nagar, Wathoda Road, who is currently absconding. Police said Kosare was planning to sell the contraband for financial gains.

A case has been registered against the accused under Sections 8(c), 22(c), and 29 of the NDPS Act at Wathoda Police Station. Kosare has been arrested and handed over to the local police along with the seized material. Efforts are underway to trace his absconding accomplice.

This successful operation was carried out under the guidance of Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal, Joint CP Navinchandra Reddy, Additional CP (Crime) Vasant Pardeshi, DCP (Detection) Rahul Makanikar, and ACP (Crime Branch) Abhijit Patil. The team included PI Gajanan Gulhane, PSI Nagesh Punnavad, constables Pawan Gajbhiye, Arvind Gedekar, Vivek Adhau, Manoj Nevare, Anup Yadav, and Rahul Patil.