The Thane Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a police officer from the Tulinj police station and his accomplice on Friday night for accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 from a drug smuggler, triggering fresh concerns about police involvement in drug trafficking in Nalasopara.
The arrested officer, Vitthal Pandurang Sagle, reportedly demanded a monthly bribe of Rs 50,000 from a 24-year-old drug dealer to provide protection and facilitate drug smuggling activities.
The drug dealer lodged a complaint with the Thane ACB on February 25, which led to an investigation confirming the bribe demand on February 27.
On Friday evening, at 8 PM, ACB officials led by Senior PI Vijay Kavle, Assistant Police Sub Inspector Nalawade, Yogendra Pardeshi, Shamim Sheikh, and Police Sub Inspector Barge apprehended Sagle and his accomplice inside the Tulinj police station as they accepted the bribe.
This incident has raised alarm among local residents who allege police complicity aids the flourishing drug trade in the area.
