In a major operation, Beed police raided a farm in Dharur taluka and seized illegally cultivated opium plants valued at over Rs4.32 crore. The raid, which began on Saturday evening and continued until Sunday night, led to the arrest of Ramhari Karbhari Tidke (42), the owner of the farm located in Pimparwada.
According to officials, Tidke had illegally planted opium poppy (Afu) on his farmland without any legal permission, with the intention of selling the crops commercially. Beed Superintendent of Police Navneet Kanwat confirmed that the police are working to uncover the entire drug peddling network linked to the operation.
The illicit plantation was found spread across survey number 33 in Pimparwada village. The opium poppy plants, identified by their distinct white flowers, green pimpled leaves, and rounded pods, were fully developed. During the raid, authorities uprooted the crop and packed it into 42 sacks, totaling 540 kg and 759 grams of opium plants.
This operation has raised concerns over the growing illegal cultivation of opium and the broader network of drug trafficking operating in the region. Investigations are ongoing to identify other individuals involved in this illegal operation.
