Nagpur: In a significant crackdown on the illicit drug trade, the Anti-Narcotics Cell of Nagpur Crime Branch on Sunday, May 11, apprehended four individuals in two separate operations and seized a total of 86 grams of MD (Mephedrone) drug, a pistol, live ammunition, mobile phones, and vehicles worth over ₹6.31 lakh.

In the first operation carried out around 1:55 am near SDPL Colony, Kapil Nagar, police laid a trap at a T-point leading to the New MHADA Quarters. Upon intercepting three suspects and conducting a personal search, police recovered 20 grams of MD powder. The accused were identified as Sheikh Salman Sheikh Kaleem (34), Sheikh Shah Rukh Sheikh Kaleem (27), both residents of MHADA Colony, Kapil Nagar and Swapnil alias Bidi Naresh Jambhulkar (22), resident of Chudiwali Galli, Gaddigodam, Sadar.

Police seized four mobile phones and a motorcycle in addition to the drugs. During interrogation, the trio revealed they had procured the substance from a fourth accused, Haider Parvez Mohammad Kazim (26), a resident of Bengali Panja, Lendi Talav, Pachpaoli. Acting swiftly, the Anti-Narcotics Cell launched a follow-up operation in the Pachpaoli area around 4:19 am and apprehended Haider near the Shiv Mandir while he was riding a moped.

A search of Haider led to the recovery of 66 grams of MD drug, a mobile phone, the moped, and a pistol with one live cartridge. He confessed to having sourced the contraband from Sheikh Mukarram, a resident of Bhiwandi, Thane.

All four have been booked under Sections 8(c), 22(b)/(c), and 29 of the NDPS Act, along with Sections 3/25 of the Arms Act. The seized items, totaling ₹6,31,000, include narcotics, vehicles, weapons, and electronic devices.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal, Joint Commissioner Nisar Tamboli, Additional CP (Crime) Sanjay Patil, DCP (Detection) Rahul Makanikar, and ACP (Crime Branch) Abhijeet Patil.