Pune: In a swift crackdown on drug trafficking ahead of the Ganeshotsav celebrations, Pune’s Anti-Narcotics Cell raided a residence in Kondhwa and seized 202 grams of mephedrone, valued at ₹40 lakhs, along with a locally-made pistol.

The raid was conducted after police received a tip-off about Sameer Sharif Shaikh, a 22-year-old resident of Syed Qazi Heights, Kondhwa, who was suspected of drug possession.

The operation, led by Inspector Ulhas Kadam, resulted in the seizure of illegal drugs, a firearm, and mobile phones, with the total haul valued at ₹42 lakhs.

The Anti-Narcotics Unit conducted the raid under the guidance of senior police officials including Additional Commissioner Shailesh Balkawade, Deputy Commissioner Nikhil Pingle, and Assistant Commissioner Ganesh Ingle. A team of officers, including Sub-Inspectors Digambar Kokate and Sandeep Shirke, played a key role in the successful raid.

In a separate case, three individuals were arrested for attempting to sell marijuana in different parts of the city. Ayush Anant Shinde, 20, was apprehended in Bibwewadi with 530 grams of marijuana, while Akash Raju Ghorpade, 23, and his accomplice Dhananjay Dashrath Pawar were arrested on Nagar Road with 705 grams of marijuana.

A case has been registered at the Airport Police Station against Ghorpade and Pawar. The arrests were made by a team led by Senior Inspector Sudarshan Gaikwad of the Anti-Narcotics Unit.

The Anti-Narcotics Cell had recently 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.