In a significant breakthrough in Pune’s fight against drug trafficking, the city police have arrested a 48-year-old courier company employee, Vishwanath Konapure, for allegedly delivering mephedrone directly to drug addicts’ homes. The arrest follows an earlier bust in the Vishrantwadi area, where police seized Rs1 crore worth of mephedrone and arrested three individuals involved in the narcotics trade.
Konapure, a resident of Kalepadal, Hadapsar, was initially identified as an employee of a local courier service. During the investigation into the drug trafficking network, it was discovered that he was using his position to smuggle and deliver large quantities of mephedrone to drug users across Pune and nearby areas.
The arrests came after police conducted a raid in Dhanori, Vishrantwadi, where three individuals were found in possession of 471 grams of mephedrone (MD), along with other items such as mobile phones, electronic weighing scales, two-wheelers, and a car. The arrested individuals were identified as Shrinivas Santosh Godje (21, Dhanori), Rohit Shantaram Bende (21, Lohgaon), and Nimish Subhash Abnave (27, Vighnaharta Apartment, Lohegaon).
The operation, carried out by the Anti-Narcotics Squad of the Vishrantwadi Police Station, was based on a tip-off that led to the discovery of the drugs. During questioning, the suspects revealed the links to Konapure, prompting further investigation into the drug distribution network.
Police Inspector Ulhas Kadam is overseeing the investigation, which is ongoing. Authorities are working to uncover additional connections in the syndicate and trace the source of the mephedrone.
The arrest highlights the increasing use of everyday services, such as courier companies, in drug trafficking and distribution, a worrying trend that police are actively addressing.
