UNIT 4 of the Crime Branch raided a residential flat in Dighori and seized 474 grams of Mephedrone (MD), worth Rs 47.4 lakh and arrested two persons in this connection.With this breakthrough, the police have not only disrupted a major supply chain, but also ignited a deeper investigation into inter-state narcotics trafficking. The action took place at around 4.30 pm on Tuesday at Flat No 202, Anand Sai Residency, Sarvashree Nagar, Dighori which is believed to be the residence of the key accused, Dheeraj Shyam Malik. During the operation, police arrested Dheeraj Shyam Malik (31), a resident of Sweeper Colony, Gangabai Ghat, who was staying at the flat in Dighori.

 

Another accused, Shubham Parasram Pendor (26), resident of Shivaji Nagar, Gangabai Ghat, has also been named in the case. Pendor allegedly worked as a supplier and distributing MD to customers over the past two months. Along with the narcotics, police seized a Nexon car (MH40/CH-2477), an Activa scooter without a number plate and two mobile phones. The total value of the seizure is estimated at Rs 57.8 lakh. According to police officials, the origin of the MD traces back to Rajasthan. The consignment was first transported to Ujjain and then brought to Nagpur. Investigators suspect that the drugs may have initially come from Pakistan, smuggled across the border into Rajasthan before finding its way into Maharashtra Police have identified two wanted accused in the case Arpit Shukracharya Uke (27), a resident of Indira Mata Nagar, Vitabhatti Chowk under Yashodhara Nagar Police limits and a person named Jilani from Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

 

The police believe that Uke played a key role in bringing Dheeraj Malik from Ujjain to Nagpur for operating the MD supply network. A senior official from the Crime Branch confirmed that an intense manhunt is underway to nab the absconding accused. “We are probing possible cross-border links. The MD appears to have originated in Pakistan and was trafficked through Rajasthan into central India. This could indicate a larger nexus involving international drug cartels,” the officer said. The case was registered under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and further investigations are in progress. Under the guidance of CP Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal, DCP Detection Rahul Maknikar and ACP Dr Abhijeet Patil, the arrest was made by PI Kamlakar Gaddime and his team.