Explosives, detonators meant for illegal sand mining seized in Palghar

Virar Police on Sunday had seized 24 detonators and explosives suspected to be used for underwater blasting and illegal sand mining by sand mafia in Palghar district.

According to the police, the officials were tipped-off about illegal sand mining activities and its transportation at Reti Bunder in Chandip, Virar. The police had also learnt about explosives being used for illegal sand mining.

Acting on the tip-off, a trap was laid at the said spot and a poclain, truck, a bag containing 24 electronic detonators and another containing powdered substance, suspected to be used for explosion were seized.

"We suspect that that poclain owner and the truck owner had connived together to carry out explosion in the river using detonators for illegal sand mining. They had then planned to illegally transport the sand," said an officer from Virar police station.

The police have registered a case under Sections 379 (punishment for theft) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code and sections of Indian Explosive Substance Act.

"We are now gathering details of the owners of the vehicle seized and would apprehend them in the case," the officer said.