On February 7, Kolhapur police successfully uncovered a drug supply network involving MD drugs and ganja, leading to the arrest of three individuals, including a wanted criminal from Goa. Rohit Basuraj Vhasmani from Donawade was arrested with two grams of MD drugs and 1,500 grams of ganja.
Further investigation revealed that Edmund Pereira, a 54-year-old from Goa, had been managing the drug supply chain. Pereira, who had been previously wanted in connection with MD drug supply cases, was supplying drugs to 25-year-old Manisha Mahendra Gawai from Taloja. Pereira allegedly fled to Taloja to hide after learning that police were closing in on him. Additionally, Anand Nandiwale, Vhasmani’s accomplice, was sheltered by Gawai.
The police later caught the trio red-handed with 24 grams of MD drugs and two kilograms of ganja in their possession. Pereira and Nandiwale were both wanted in a case registered at Shahupuri, and Nandiwale had a prior criminal record for drug supply in Karad.
Meanwhile, Sangli’s Additional Commissioner of Food and Drugs Administration, Rahul Karande, emphasized the importance of maintaining separate registers for Schedule H1 medicines, including psychotropic drugs. He also mentioned the growing trend of online drug purchases and assured that inspections would be carried out to curb illegal distribution.
