Nagpur Rural police have made a significant breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking by securing the preventive detention of a 27-year-old man from Kalmeshwar. Authorities describe him as the kingpin of an organized narcotics network, marking a likely first for Maharashtra following the delegation of powers under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, 1988. This development underscores the increasing efforts by law enforcement to combat illicit drug activities in the region.
The action assumes significance as, until a govt resolution issued on Sept 4, the authority to pass detention orders under the PITNDPS Act rested exclusively with principal secretary (Home). Special IGP, Nagpur Range, Sandip Patil, issued the detention order on Sept 9 against Abhinesh alias Abhishek alias Anna Barme alias Verma, a resident of Yerla village in Kalmeshwar, who has previously faced charges under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The immediate trigger was a case registered at MIDC Butibori police station on April 3 this year.
The new notification vested the power in special inspector general of police (IGP), enabling field units to directly pursue such proposals through the police hierarchy. Thus, Nagpur Rural police became the first police unit in the state to invoke the law under the revised framework. The proposal was prepared by superintendent of police Harssh A Poddar and additional SP Anil Mhaske. Police booked the accused under the provisions of the NDPS Act, Arms Act and MCOCA, alleging that he was operating an organised drug-supply network. Citing his repeated involvement in narcotics offences, alleged links with organised crime and perceived threat to public safety, Nagpur Rural police forwarded a proposal through SP Poddar to special IGP, who subsequently approved the detention under the PITNDPS Act.
During the investigation, the local crime branch had seized around 1kg ganja worth Rs20,000, a country-made firearm valued at Rs40,000, a mobile phone worth Rs20,000, a car valued at Rs5 lakh and cash. The total seizure was estimated at around Rs5 lakh.