Nagpur: In a sweeping anti-narcotics drive under Operation Thunder: Let’s Unite for a Drug-Free Society, the Nagpur City Police, led by Commissioner Dr. Ravinder Kumar Singal, seized illegal drugs and related materials worth ₹8.65 crore between March 1, 2024, and June 17, 2025. The campaign, part of the broader Drug-Free Nagpur initiative, has also led to the arrest of 730 individuals involved in drug trafficking, possession, or consumption.
Launched with the aim of curbing rising narcotics-related crimes and fostering a safer, drug-free urban environment, the campaign has included extensive community outreach, surveillance, and coordinated action across police stations and Crime Branch units.
Seizure Highlights (March–June Period):
- MD (Mephedrone) Powder:
- Cases: 94
- Quantity: 5 kg 941.546 gm
- Value: ₹6.81 crore
- Accused Arrested: 186
- Ganja (Marijuana):
- Cases: 100
- Quantity: 473.77 kg
- Value: ₹1.66 crore
- Accused Arrested: 132
- Doda (Poppy Husk):
- Cases: 1
- Quantity: 128.1 kg
- Value: ₹10.28 lakh
- Accused Arrested: 1
- Opium:
- Cases: 2
- Quantity: 1.548 kg
- Value: ₹6.18 lakh
- Accused Arrested: 1
- Charas (Hashish):
- Cases: 1
- Quantity: 1.75 kg
- Value: ₹1.75 lakh
- Accused Arrested: 1
- Drug Users (Caught Consuming Narcotics):
- Cases: 399
- Accused Arrested: 344
Total:
- Cases Registered: 540
- Accused Arrested: 730
- Drugs Seized: Worth ₹6.39 crore
- Other Items Seized: Worth ₹2.25 crore
- Grand Total Seizure Value: ₹8.65 crore
Under this initiative, police teams—comprising officers from local police stations and crime units—were deployed to trace individuals involved in NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act) offenses since 2020. Many of these offenders were tracked to their residences for searches, verification, and legal processing. In some cases, suspects were found to be deceased, incarcerated, absconding, or no longer residing at registered addresses.
The Crime Branch has also been using digital tools like the SIMBA system to update records of offenders with biometric data, fingerprints, mobile linkages, and bank trail information. This will aid in faster identification if repeat offenses occur in the future.
Commissioner Dr. Ravinder Kumar Singal has reaffirmed his commitment to building a drug-free Nagpur, assuring that Operation Thunder will continue to intensify with ongoing surveillance, arrests, and public outreach programs.
Nagpur Police appeal to citizens to actively participate by reporting suspicious drug-related activities and support efforts to create a safe, addiction-free society.
