A major drug trafficking operation was busted on Wednesday evening at Swargate ST Stand after police apprehended a 23-year-old man with 6 kilograms of ganja and later arrested two accomplices from Solapur district on Saturday.
The suspect was identified as Nitin Narsingh Pal (age 23), a resident of Velapur.
Around 6:45 PM, Police Constables Rahul Holkar and Vikram Sayant received a tip-off about a suspicious individual standing at the Swargate ST Stand, who was reportedly waiting to board a bus to Velapur and was carrying a chocolate-colored bag containing a narcotic substance.
Seizure worth ₹16,46,000
Rahul Aware, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Zone 2), speaking to FPJ, said the suspect was located near the Pandharpur bus stop. "Upon questioning, the man dropped the bag and attempted to flee. However, Constables Rahul Holkar, Nawanath Shinde, and on-duty officer Vikram Sayant chased and nabbed him swiftly. Upon opening his bag, 6 kg of ganja was found," he added.
During interrogation, Pal revealed that he had brought the contraband to Pune for sale on the instructions of two associates: Altaf Ilai Tamboli (28), also a driver, and Vitthal alias Dada Hari Shivpal (31), an employee, both residents of Velapur, Solapur district.
Police have seized 6 kg of ganja valued at ₹1,21,000; an Innova Crysta vehicle used for drug transportation, valued at ₹15,00,000; and three mobile phones worth ₹25,000 — bringing the total seizure value to ₹16,46,000.
