Pune Police Crime Branch’s Anti-Narcotics Cell arrested a 42-year-old man in Ambegaon area, near Bharati Vidyapeeth, for attempting to sell a large quantity of opium. The arrest led to the seizure of 2.845 kg of opium, valued at ₹56.9 lakh.

The accused, identified as Devilal Shankarlal Ahir, a resident of Katraj, was apprehended during a targeted operation conducted by the Anti-Narcotics team.

Acting on a tip-off received by officer Yogesh Mandhare, the police learned that a man would be coming to the Ambegaon area to sell a consignment of opium. Following this information, the police set up a trap and kept a close watch on the location.

Ahir arrived at the scene on a motorcycle, at which point the police moved in and detained him. During the interrogation, officers searched his vehicle and discovered the opium concealed in the storage compartment of the motorcycle.

Along with the narcotics, the police also seized the motorcycle and Ahir’s mobile phone as evidence.

The arrest is seen as a crucial step in curbing the flow of narcotics in the region. Investigators are now working to uncover further details about the source of the opium and the intended buyers. This could lead to the identification of a broader network involved in drug trafficking.

The operation was overseen by senior officers, including Additional Commissioner Shailesh Balkawade, Deputy Commissioner Nikhil Pingle, and Assistant Commissioner Rajendra Mulik.

The raid was executed by a team led by Police Inspector Sudarshan Gaikwad, Assistant Inspector Nitinkumar Naik, and Sub-Inspector Digambar Chavan, with officers Yogesh Mandhare, Chetan Gaikwad, Prashant Bomadandi, Sandeep Jadhav, Uday Rakshe, and Disha Khewalkar.