Illegal Opium Cultivation Worth ₹27.56 Lakh Seized In Pune; Three Arrested
Illegal Opium Cultivation Worth ₹27.56 Lakh Seized In Pune; Three Arrested
In a major crackdown, Pune Rural Police seized around 883 kg of illegally cultivated opium, valued at ₹27,56,460, from fields in Nhavi village, Indapur Taluka. Three individuals were taken into custody for unauthorized cultivation of the narcotic crop.
The operation was conducted by the Local Crime Branch and Walchandnagar Police Station following intelligence reports about illicit opium farming under the guise of agricultural produce. Acting on a tip-off, the police raided the farms owned by Ratan Kundalik Markad and Balu Baburao Jadhav, uncovering large-scale illegal cultivation. Another individual, Kalyan Baburao Jadhav, was also found to have been involved in the illicit activity.
To conceal the opium plants, the accused had strategically planted onion, garlic, and maize around the fields. The seized contraband has been registered under the NDPS Act at Walchandnagar Police Station.
The raid was carried out under the directives of Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh, Additional SP Ganesh Biradar, and Sub-Divisional Police Officer Sudarshan Rathod. Officers from the Local Crime Branch and Walchandnagar Police Station, along with officials from the revenue and agriculture departments, played a key role in the operation.
Further investigations are underway to identify any larger networks linked to this illegal trade.
