In a major crackdown on drug trafficking in rural areas, the Local Crime Branch (LCB) arrested Nilesh Bapur Pawar (30), a shopkeeper from Indiranagar, after seizing over 8 kilograms of ganja from his grocery shop in Saundane village.
The raid, conducted on Wednesday evening, was initiated following intelligence inputs received by Inspector Ravindra Magar as part of ongoing operations directed by Superintendent of Police Balasaheb Patil.
Along with the ganja, police confiscated 50 special pipes used for smoking and Rs 10,000 in cash from the shop. The seized ganja is valued at approximately Rs 1.7 lakh.
Pawar was taken into custody and handed over to the Malegaon taluka police for further investigation. Authorities have urged locals to report any illegal drug-related activities in their villages to aid in curbing such crimes.
A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Malegaon police station.
