Drug racket busted in Bhandup, eight held by Anti-Narcotics Cell

The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC), Ghatkopar has arrested eight people in connection with possession and smuggling of drugs at Bhandup. The arrests were made on Tuesday. ANC deputy commissioner Shivdeep Lande said that they received a tip off that some locals were carrying drugs.

A covert operation was launched and all the eight suspects were nabbed near BMC gate wall, Bhandup west. The accused have been identified as Vijay Vishnu Pandit (26), Mustafa Lalu Shaikh (21), Tayabai Sitaramm Wadekar (65), Jasunda Ashok Gaikwad (50), Shakti Bharat Pujara (32), Uttam Dattatray Kamble (46), Kamlesh Mangru Gautam (26) and Saipan Chand Sangoli (21). Majority of the accused are residents of Bhandup and some hail from Vikhroli and Powai respectively.

Lande said that the arrests were made on commissioner's orders and the information given to the ANC unit by informers. All the accused are local residents, who have been apprehended for drug possession and smuggling. "The ANC is now shifting its focus on busting ground level movement of drugs and more such operations are expected ahead."

The search team have seized a bag of 9.3 kg ganja worth Rs 1.86 lakh.

All the accused have been charged under section 8(c) of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and the ANC is investing the case for further information. "The city police and the ANC are being more vigilant. They want to bust high profile drug rackets. The police commissioner has intensified police patrolling and searches in the areas," said a police officer.

SAY NO TO DRUGS

• The city police and the ANC are being more vigilant. They want to bust high profile drug rackets. 
   
• All the eight accused are local residents of Bhandup (west). 
   
• The cops have intensified night patrolling and random searches.