Pune, 24 February 2026: In a major crackdown on illegal drug trafficking, the Pune Police Crime Branch arrested four habitual offenders and seized 43 kilograms of ganja valued at ₹21.91 lakh. Two four-wheelers and five mobile phones were also taken into custody during the operation.
The action began on February 14 in the Kadamwak Wasti area of Loni Kalbhor. Police caught Akshay Popatrao Padule (31), a resident of New MHADA Colony in Hadapsar, and Vishal Dattatray Jadhav (28) from Hingne Mala, Hadapsar, allegedly carrying 34 kg of ganja worth ₹6.88 lakh for sale outside a housing society. A case was registered at Loni Kalbhor Police Station.
Following this, the investigation was handed over to the Crime Branch. Under the guidance of Police Inspector Wahid Pathan and Assistant Inspector Anil Survase from the Anti-Narcotics Cell-1, a special operation was conducted on February 18 in Dhule and Nandurbar districts.
During a trap laid in a hilly area, police detained Mangesh Janya Pawara (29), a resident of Bhogawade Khurd in Dhadgaon taluka of Nandurbar district. Later, Dnyaneshwar Magan Pawara (25) was arrested near Sangvi along the Mumbai-Agra Highway in Dhule district. Police recovered 9 kg 420 grams of ganja and seized a car worth ₹5 lakh from him.
Police officials stated, “The operation was carried out as part of our ongoing drive against narcotics trafficking. Further investigation is underway to trace the supply network and identify other links in the chain.”
The action was conducted under the guidance of Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner Ranjankumar Sharma, Additional Commissioner Pankaj Deshmukh, and Deputy Commissioner Nikhil Pingale.
Police said efforts are continuing to dismantle the drug supply network and prevent the circulation of narcotics in Pune and surrounding regions.
