Narcotics worth nearly 2 crore seized by police

Thane: The Anti Narcotics Cell of Thane crime branch arrested a 29-year-old man for allegedly possessing over 1 kg of charas valued at more than ₹1.1 crore.The accused, identified as Masud Badbudin Ainarkar, a driver from Dapoli in Ratnagiri district, was caught on September 14 near a new construction site at Haware City, on the road leading from Shilphata to Mumbra.

Police Constable Amol Desai, acting on a tip-off, laid a trap and apprehended Ainarkar, said Rahul Maske, the Senior Inspector of the Anti Narcotics Cell of Thane crime branch.During the operation, police seized 1.1 kg of charas from his possession. The total value of the contraband and other recovered items was pegged at ₹1.10 crore.A case was registered against him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Shil-Daighar police station.

Ainarkar was produced before a local court and was remanded in police custody till September 23.The investigation is being handled by Assistant Police Inspector Somnath Karnwar Patil from the Anti-Narcotics Squad. Officials suspect the contraband may be linked to an international drug trafficking network. “The other sources of the racket are being probed,” said the officer. The operation was carried out under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amarsingh Jadhav.