Nagpur: As part of the city-wide crackdown under “Operation Thunder”, the Anti-Narcotics Squad of the Nagpur Crime Branch arrested two persons for possession and sale of ganja within Sitabuldi police station limits.

Acting on the directives and guidance of Police Commissioner Ravindrakumar Singhal, the city police are intensifying action against drug peddlers and consumers. Based on specific intelligence, the Crime Branch Anti-Narcotics Team conducted a trap and raid between 2.30 pm and 6 pm on December 16, 2025, at a slum area opposite Mitha Neem Dargah, Sitabuldi.

During the raid, the police apprehended Firoza Ejaz Rafiq Pathan (38), a resident of the same slum area, and Mir Asif Ali Shaukat Ali (50) of Gittikhadan. From their possession, the team seized 2.73 kg of ganja, concealed in a steel container, along with Rs 100 in cash. The total value of the seized contraband is estimated at Rs 68,550.

During interrogation, the accused revealed that they had procured the ganja from their associates Bandu alias Vishwanath Hiralal Yadav (58) and Wasim alias Gabbar Abdul Rafiq Pathan (40), both residents of the same locality. The accused were found possessing the contraband for financial gain.

An offence has been registered at Sitabuldi Police Station under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(B) and 29 of the NDPS Act. The arrested accused have been handed over to Sitabuldi police for further investigation, while efforts are on to trace the absconding accused.

The operation was carried out under the guidance of senior police officials and executed by a Crime Branch team led by PI Gajanan Gulhane.