In a major anti-narcotics operation, the city police seized half-a-kilo of MD (Mephedrone), worth Rs 55.4 lakh, that was brought to the city for illegal distribution during the New Year celebrations. The police have arrested five persons, including notorious gangster Sumit Chintalwar, along with Pawan alias Mihir Mishra, Palash Diwekar, and two others. The police received a tip-off about a large stock of MD being brought into the city for the New Year celebrations. Acting on this information, a special team led by Senior Police Inspector Gajanan Gulhane set up a trap near Koradi Naka.

 

At around 11.45 am, they stopped a car and found Sumit Chintalwar (35), a resident of Vishwakarma Nagar, along with his accomplices Palash Diwekar (21) from Ramai Nagar and Pawan Mishra (39) from Manewada, Besa, in the vehicle. Upon searching the car, the police found half a kilo of MD hidden inside. The trio revealed that they had brought the drugs to Nagpur to deliver to two more persons, Sheikh Atik Farid Sheikh alias Bhuru (25) and Manish Ranjit Kushwaha (45), both residents of Hudkeshwar. The police took them into custody as well. In the operation, the police also seized five mobile phones and the car, collectively worth Rs 66.21 lakh. The main smuggler, Ajay Sisodia, a resident of Chaumahla, Rajasthan, is reportedly absconding. A team is now searching for him. 

 

MD smuggled from Rajasthan

 

According to police, Sumit and his associates had procured the MD from Rajasthan to sell in Nagpur. They travelled through Madhya Pradesh before arriving in the city. The operation follows a recent seizure of MD worth Rs 90 lakh, which was also brought from Madhya Pradesh and seized from health worker Kapil Khobragade. Police stated that smuggling of MD from Rajasthan has increased in recent months.

 

 

Sumit Chintalwar, along with Pawan Mishra, Farid Sheikh, and Manish Kushwaha, all arrested in this smuggling case, have criminal records. Sumit Chintalwar has been involved in serious criminal activities, with two MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) cases, along with over ten cases including murder, extortion, intimidation, and assault. Earlier, he was indulged in liquor smuggling and made huge property through the business. Pawan Mishra is also a notorious gangster with multiple cases against him in nine police stations. Farid Sheikh and Manish Kushwaha have also been linked to several MD-related cases.