NAGPUR: In a crackdown on drug trafficking, Beltarodi police arrested four men after allegedly recovering 18.034 grams of suspected mephedrone (MD) from a car parked suspiciously near New Punjabi Dhaba, opposite Bharat Petrol Pump, along Wardha Road, on Tuesday morning.
The police seized drugs and other valuables, including a white Maruti Ertiga car, collectively worth ₹16.06 lakh.
The action was carried out on November 10 around 9.30 am by a patrolling investigation team following strict directions from Deputy Commissioner of Police Rashmita Rao (Zone 4) to intensify action against drug-related activities.
According to police, a team on patrol noticed a white Ertiga (CG-08-Y-5760) parked suspiciously on the service road near New Punjabi Dhaba. Four men were found sitting inside the vehicle. The police became suspicious after identifying one of them, Bhushan Ramesh Kursange (36), a resident of Chichbhavan along Wardha Road, as a person with a criminal record.
During a search, police allegedly recovered 18.034 grams of a white powder suspected to be mephedrone (MD) from a transparent plastic pouch kept in the pocket of Kursange’s trousers. The substance was valued at approximately ₹91,700.
The other accused were identified as Nitesh Subhash Sahu (26), a resident of Dahegaon Rangari on Saoner Road; Mohit Gajanan Bhajipale (23), a resident near Zaika Hotel in Dongargaon along Wardha Road; and Saurabh Satish Laskare (23), a resident near Bobde Flour Mill in Chichbhavan.
Police alleged that Laskare was also present at the spot along with the other three accused for the purpose of selling MD.
Apart from the suspected narcotics, police seized a Vivo mobile phone worth ₹10,000 from Sahu, a Redmi mobile phone worth ₹5,000 from Bhajipale and the Ertiga car valued at ₹15 lakh.
The total value of the seized property was estimated at ₹16,06,700.
Beltarodi police registered a case under Sections 8(c), 22(b) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. All four accused have been arrested.
Police further stated that Kursange is a habitual offender and has five previous cases registered against him at Beltarodi, Sonegaon and Kalamna police stations.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of DCP Rashmita Rao, with Senior Police Inspector Ravindra Naikwad leading the team. Police Sub-Inspectors Santosh Andhale and Sachin Bade, Head Constables Suhas Shingane, Sachin Lachalwar and Surendra Bopche, and Police Constable Vivek Shripad were part of the operation.
