Pune cops seize drugs worth Rs 3.45 crore; five held from multiple cities

Pune, Dec 17 (PTI) The Pune police have busted an international drugs racket with the arrest of five persons, all in their 20s, and seizure of drugs worth about Rs 3.45 crore, an official said on Wednesday.

The arrests were made across the country, including Pune, Mumbai, Goa and Guwahati, he said.

According to the official, the action followed a case registered at Pune’s Khadki police station against one Tushar Chetan Verma (21).

The other four accused have been identified as Sumit Santosh Dedwal (25), Akshay Sukhlal Maher (25), Malay Deliwala (28) and Swaraj Bhosale (28).

Deputy Commissioner of Police Somay Munde said, “Verma is the prime accused. After his arrest, two more accused were taken into custody. The accused had set up an in-house factory, where they grew hydroponic drugs (marijuana). Materials used to make the narcotic substances were seized.” Police said the hydroponic drug unit had been set up in a flat in the Pimpri Chinchwad area.

The investigation further led to the arrest of a drug peddler from Goa. The police also raided multiple locations, including Mumbai and Goa. Besides narcotic substances, crypto wallets used during the drug transactions were also seized, the official said.

The police are looking for five more persons, including two foreign nationals, in this matter, the official said. PTI COR NR