Police seized nearly three kilograms of ganja and arrested two Gujarat residents for illegal possession during a raid at a farmhouse in Palghar district, Maharashtra, officials said Wednesday.
According to the PTI, the operation took place on Tuesday.
“Acting on a tip-off, police raided Sambha Irani Farm within the Amgaon Chowki limits in Talasari,” said Senior Inspector Ajay Gorad of Talasari Police Station.
During the search, 2.965 kilograms of ganja were seized, he added, reported PTI.
Two detained
Following the seizure, the police registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and arrested Mohammad Changez Haji Abdul Rauf Sheikh (36) and Atish Ganesh Kumare (28), both residents of Valsad in Gujarat.
As per PTI, the accused were taken into custody on February 4 after the contraband was verified, according to Gorad.
Police are currently investigating whether the accused were part of a larger inter-state drug syndicate operating across the Maharashtra-Gujarat border.
Palghar cops launch crackdown on illegal foreign nationals
In a major crackdown on illegal foreign nationals in Palghar district of Maharashtra, the police on Wednesday detained 109 Nigerians for verification of documents in the Nalasopara East area and recovered nearly 2 kg of cocaine during the operation, an official said, reported news agency PTI.
None of the detainees has reportedly so far been able to produce valid travel or residential documents, the official added.
The operation was carried out by teams of the Mira-Bhayandar Vasai-Virar (MBVV) Police, which launched a combing drive in the area at around 6 am, Deputy Commissioner of Police Poornima Chowgule-Shringi said, reported PTI.
“At one location, we seized 2 kg of cocaine from a person, and an offence is being registered,” she said.
Foreign nationals, including those from Nigeria, Uganda and Ghana, living in areas such as Nalasopara, Achole and Tulinj have allegedly repeatedly been found to be involved in drug peddling, the official said.
“Several of these foreign nationals have been found to be involved in drug peddling, and it recently came to light that they have also set up illegal shops. The Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation had information about these activities. Hence, we initiated coordinated action against drugs and illegal establishments,” Chowgule-Shringi said, reported PTI.
Police gave the detained persons an opportunity to produce their travel and residential documents, she said, adding, “So far, not a single person has been able to show valid documents. Those who can produce legal documents will be allowed to stay, while those who fail to do so will face further legal action, including repatriation.”
Foreign nationals prefer areas in the outer skirts due to low property rents, she added
(With PTI inputs)