Marking a significant Republic Day success against drug trafficking, the Social Security Branch (SSB) and NDPS squad of the Nagpur Crime Branch seized over 41 kilograms of ganja and arrested two accused during an early morning operation under the jurisdiction of Yashodhara Nagar Police Station.
The action was conducted between 3:00 am and 6:30 am near Konkan Agro Marine Industries in the Wanjra Layout Small Factory Area of Yashodhara Nagar. Acting on specific intelligence, police intercepted a truck and searched it in the presence of panch witnesses, leading to the detection of a concealed narcotics consignment.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mohammad Shamsad Imtiyaz Ahmed (40), a truck driver-owner from Sangharsh Nagar, Nagpur, and Shah Rukh Khan Iqbal Khan (26), a resident of Kundanlal Gupta Nagar, Vitabhatti area in Yashodhara Nagar. Investigators said both were allegedly working in coordination to transport the contraband.
Police recovered 41.846 kilograms of ganja valued at approximately ₹10.34 lakh. The narcotics were hidden in a specially fabricated compartment behind the truck’s cabin. Officers also seized an Eicher truck worth ₹20 lakh and three mobile phones valued at ₹21,000, bringing the total value of seized property to ₹30.55 lakh.
During preliminary questioning, it emerged that the accused had allegedly travelled to Redakul village in Sambalpur district of Odisha to procure the ganja. The supply was reportedly arranged by a wanted accused identified as Sonu Khan from Vitabhatti Chowk, Nagpur, along with two other associates from Odisha who remain absconding. Police suspect the consignment was being brought to Nagpur for further distribution.
A case has been registered under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(2)(c), and 29 of the NDPS Act, and further investigation is underway to trace the absconding suspects and dismantle the interstate drug supply network.
The operation was executed by the Social Security Branch and NDPS team led by Police Inspector Gajanan Gulhane and API Shivaji Nanaware, along with personnel Sheshrao Raut, Ashwin Mange, Sameer Sheikh, Kunal Masram, Kunal Bodakhe, Gamesh Jogekar, Vivek Adhao, and Nitin Salunkhe.
Police officials stated that the Republic Day operation reflects the department’s continued focus on curbing narcotics trafficking and strengthening interstate enforcement coordination.
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