Pune: The Talegaon Dabhade police seized 5 kilograms of marijuana valued at INR 2.5 lakh from a man allegedly attempting to sell the contraband along the road leading to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

The arrested individual has been identified as Ashfaquali Sajjad Ali Shaikh, a 40-year-old resident of New Gautam Nagar, located opposite Deonar Police Post, Beat No. 2, Govandi West.

Police constable Umakant Vishnu Navgire lodged a complaint regarding the incident at the Talegaon Dabhade police station. According to the police report, while patrolling the area, authorities received a tip-off about a person planning to sell marijuana.

Acting on this information, the police set up a trap near Aditya Hotel on the road connecting Somatne Phata and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

Police officials observed Ashfaquali Shaikh loitering suspiciously at the location and detained him. Upon inspection, the authorities recovered 5 kilograms of marijuana, estimated to be worth INR 2.5 lakh.

The seized contraband was taken into custody for further examination. Police Sub-Inspector Khamgal is leading the investigation.

Earlier in August, the Anti-Narcotics Cell of Pune Police arrested a major trafficker from Gujarat and seized Mephedrone worth ₹1 crore.

The trafficker, identified as Mohammad Aslam Mohammad Ismail Merchant, a resident of Jambusar in Bharuch district, Gujarat, was apprehended for supplying the drug to various parts of the country, including Pune.

Investigation had revealed that the drugs were being delivered through a courier service, leading to the arrest of Viswanath Konapure, an employee of the courier company