Pune: The Loni Kalbhor Police have arrested a female landowner after uncovering an illegal opium plantation in the Alandi Mhatobachi village area. This marks the third such case of illegal opium farming within the jurisdiction of Loni Kalbhor Police Station, raising concerns over recurring instances of drug-related agricultural activities.
Police received a confidential tip about opium being cultivated behind a plotting site on Jagtap Mala Road. Acting on this information, a police team conducted a raid on March 14 at Survey Number 775, where 66 opium plants were found, weighing 4 kg and valued at ₹40,000.
Landowner Arrested Under Anti-Narcotics Law
Following the raid, the police arrested Mangal Dadaso Jawalkar (45), a resident of Amarai Vasti, Alandi Mhatobachi. A case has been registered against her under Sections 8(B) and 18 of the Maharashtra State Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 5) Dr. Rajkumar Shinde and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Hadapsar Division) Anuradha Udamale, with the Loni Kalbhor Police team led by Senior Inspector Rajendra Panhale. Other officers involved in the raid included Sub-Inspector Anil Jadhav and police personnel Kshirsagar, Vanve, Satpute, Katke, Kudale, Nanapure, Nikambe, Yadav, and Telange.
Third Opium Cultivation Case in Loni Kalbhor Jurisdiction
This is the third recorded case of illegal opium farming within the Loni Kalbhor police limits. In the previous two incidents, police had registered criminal cases against those involved. The repeated instances of drug-related agriculture in the area have raised concerns about potential organized illegal drug farming networks.