In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, a 34-year-old man, Akhilesh Garib Mandal, was arrested in Lohegaon for possession and intended sale of 12 kilograms of ganja valued at approximately Rs3 lakh.
Mandal, a construction laborer from Karmabhoomi Nagar, was intercepted during a targeted operation by the Airport Police following a tip-off received by Police Sub-Inspector Nitin Rathod. The team laid a trap and caught Mandal carrying the contraband in a cloth bag.
He was immediately taken into custody and charged under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The operation was led by Senior Police Inspector Govind Jadhav of the Airport Police Station, with key involvement from Crime Branch Inspector Ashalata Khapre, PSI Nitin Rathod, and constables Rupesh Pisal, Shailesh Naik, Rakesh Chandekar, Ankush Jogdande, and Dadasaheb Barde.
Preliminary investigations suggest Mandal might be linked to a larger drug distribution network. Authorities are now working to trace the source of the seized ganja and identify other participants in the supply chain.
This arrest follows a recent similar case in Yerawada, highlighting increased vigilance in Pune. Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has directed all units to intensify anti-drug operations and aggressively pursue leads to dismantle local drug networks.
