Nagpur: The Social Security Branch (SSB) of the Nagpur Crime Branch arrested a 40-year-old man with 105.02 grams of mephedrone (MD) powder worth ₹10.50 lakh during a late-night operation in the Hudkeshwar police station limits. The accused and the seized contraband were later handed over to Hudkeshwar Police for registration of an FIR and further investigation.

The action was carried out between 9.30 pm on August 6 and 12.45 am on August 7 while SSB officers were patrolling near Ward No. 15, close to a fair price shop in the Hudkeshwar area. The team spotted a man standing suspiciously beside a two-wheeler. When the officers approached him, he allegedly tried to flee but was chased down and detained.

The accused was identified as Salim Khan Sajid Khan (40), a resident of New Mhalginagar, Besa, Nagpur. Following the mandatory provisions of the NDPS Act, SSB officers searched him in the presence of panch witnesses and recovered 32.20 grams of MD powder from a zip-lock pouch kept in his trouser pocket.

During sustained questioning, the accused allegedly revealed that he had hidden more narcotics at his residence. Acting on the disclosure, the SSB team searched his house and recovered an additional 67.81 grams of MD powder concealed in a zip-lock pouch inside the bathroom.

Apart from the narcotics, officers seized two mobile phones, a six-gram yellow metal ring and a Suzuki Burgman scooter. The total seizure included 105.02 grams of MD powder valued at ₹10,50,200, while the overall value of the confiscated property stood at ₹13.30 lakh.

The accused allegedly told investigators that he had procured the MD powder from wanted accused Sanjay Kaliya, a resident near the Jabalpur Road bridge in Hudkeshwar. Police have launched a search to trace the absconding supplier.

Based on the SSB’s action, Hudkeshwar Police registered a case under Sections 8(c), 22(c) and 29 of the NDPS Act. The accused has been arrested, while further investigation and the search for the wanted co-accused are underway.