A failed attempt to deliver a consignment of Mephedrone (MD) drug in Chandrapur district led to the arrest of three alleged drug traffickers after Nagpur Rural Police intercepted their vehicle near Kelwad Toll Plaza and seized 485 grams of MD drug and other valuables worth Rs 40.25 lakh. According to police, the accused had travelled from Madhya Pradesh to deliver 485 grams of Mephedrone (MD) powder in Chandrapur. However, the deal reportedly fell through after the intended receiver refused to accept the consignment. Left with the narcotics, the trio began searching for another buyer to dispose of the drugs. Acting on a tip-off that a vehicle carrying narcotics was moving through the area in search of a prospective purchaser, the Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Nagpur Rural laid a trap near Kelwad Toll Plaza on Tuesday.

 

During the operation, police intercepted a Mahindra Scorpio (MP-04/ZX-5493) and arrested three occupants. The accused were identified as Govind Nannilal Pal (39), a resident of Harsul in Madhya Pradesh’s Hoshangabad district; Lalataprasad Shambhuprasad Patel (53), a resident of Karavali Khurd in Sidhi district; and Deepak Dhanraj Dethe (33), a resident of Saunsar in Pandhurna district. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 485 grams of MD powder valued at Rs 24.25 lakh. Police also seized the Scorpio vehicle, one iPhone and two Android mobile phones, taking the total value of the seizure to Rs 40.25 lakh.

 

A case has been registered at Kelwad Police Station under Sections 8(c), 22(c) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. All three accused have been arrested, and further investigation is underway to identify the intended recipients and the wider drug supply network linked to the consignment. Under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Dr Harssh A Poddar, Additional SP Anil Mhaske, ASP and SDPO Saoner Sagar Kharde, the arrest was made by PI LCB Ankush Mane and his team.