Nagpur: In a sweeping crackdown on the drug trade, Nagpur City Police on Monday incinerated over 1.7 tonnes of narcotics worth ₹3.12 crore, seized from 264 cases registered under the city’s ambitious “Operation Thunder – Together for a Drug-Free Society” campaign.
Police Commissioner Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal conceptualised the initiative, which targets drug peddlers, carriers and users across Nagpur. Acting on his directives, contraband such as marijuana (ganja), mephedrone (MD) powder, charas and doda powder—earlier seized in multiple raids—was destroyed at the Maharashtra Enviro Ltd. facility in Butibori MIDC, a unit authorised by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). The disposal followed strict Narcotics Drugs Disposal Committee norms.
During the latest phase alone, contraband from 100 registered offences was eliminated, including 272.24 kg of drugs valued at ₹42.77 lakh. Senior officials, including Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Vasant Pardeshi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection) Rahul Makanikar, and DCP (Headquarters) Ashwini Patil, supervised the operation alongside the State Crime Investigation Department and MPCB representatives.
This marks the third major destruction drive under Operation Thunder:
- June 24, 2025 – 714.23 kg of narcotics worth ₹1.32 crore from 54 cases destroyed.
- June 20, 2024 – 733.78 kg worth ₹1.37 crore from 110 cases destroyed.
Cumulatively, the city police have now eliminated 1,710.25 kg of narcotics with an estimated street value of ₹3,12,36,582.
Officials reiterated that the campaign will continue aggressively to eradicate narcotics from the city. Police have appealed to citizens to support efforts for a drug-free Nagpur, promising sustained enforcement and regular public awareness drives.
