The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Navi Mumbai police has busted a drug syndicate involving two of its own officers along with other accomplices. Among the ten individuals arrested are police constables Sachin Bhalerao from Kharghar police station and Sanjay Phulkhar from the Anti-Narcotics Unit, as well as a customs official. Authorities seized contraband and assets valued at Rs 73 lakh.
On April 14, acting on a tip-off, police arrested 22-year-old Ashish Gavre and 23-year-old Ahmed Aalgi with 17.19 grams of hydroponic cannabis worth Rs 2.76 lakh. This led to a broader investigation uncovering a network dealing in ganja, hydroponic ganja, and heroin.
The syndicate’s supply chain included Sujit Bangera, 28, who procured drugs from abroad, including America and Thailand. With assistance from customs official Prashant Gaur, the shipments were cleared at the airport and distributed locally.
Kamal Chandwani, 56, with a criminal record, was arrested for collecting these shipments using forged documents and fake IDs. The two police constables allegedly accepted Rs 6 lakh each to shield Chandwani from arrest and are currently in custody for further questioning.
Additionally, Ankit Patel (37) and Rinkudkumar Patel (39) were arrested for converting cryptocurrency stablecoins (‘Tether’ or USDT) into cash to finance the operations. The police suspect foreign-based Chickhar brothers to be the masterminds behind this syndicate. The investigation is ongoing.
Seized items include ganja, hydroponic ganja, cocaine worth Rs 16.43 lakh, vehicles worth Rs 7 lakh, and other assets valued at Rs 14.12 lakh, totaling Rs 73 lakh.
