Pune: Mephedrone Smuggling Racket Busted in Kondhwa; Four Arrested, Drugs Worth Rs 7.5 Lakh Seized

Kondhwa, 7th October 2025: The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Pune Police has busted a mephedrone smuggling racket and arrested four habitual offenders allegedly involved in drug trafficking. The police seized mephedrone worth ₹7.5 lakh, along with five mobile phones and two two-wheelers, taking the total value of the seizure to ₹9.37 lakh.

The arrested accused have been identified as Matin Hussein Memon (25), Faizal Noushad Momin (26), Fayyaz Yusuf Shaikh (36), all residents of Kondhwa; and Suraj Rajendra Saratape (28), a resident of Fatimanagar, Pune-Solapur Road.

A case has been registered against all four under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Wanawadi Police Station.

According to the police, the accused were caught on Monday (October 6) while allegedly preparing to sell mephedrone in an open space belonging to the Forest Department in Mohammadwadi. Acting on a tip-off, the ANC team laid a trap and apprehended the suspects.

During the operation, officers recovered 37.60 grams of mephedrone worth ₹7.5 lakh, five mobile phones, and two two-wheelers, all collectively valued at ₹9.37 lakh.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Pankaj Deshmukh, Assistant Commissioner of Police Vijay Kumbhar, and Police Inspector Prashant Annachatre from the Anti-Narcotics Cell. The action team included Assistant Inspector Anil Survase and police personnel Sandeep Shirke, Vinayak Salve, Maruti Pardhi, Dayanand Telange, Sachin Malve, Sarjerao Sargar, Nagnath Rakh, Nitin Jadhav, Suhas Dongre, Sanjay Raje, Dattaram Jadhav, and Akshay Shirke.

Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has directed all units to intensify action against drug dealers, peddlers, and suppliers across Pune. While mephedrone is considered an expensive synthetic drug, the sale and distribution of ganja (cannabis) continue at a larger scale in the city due to its lower cost.

Police said narcotics are often smuggled into Pune from other states and districts. Several youths have become addicted to ganja, and some have been found committing serious crimes under its influence. The illegal sale of ganja reportedly takes place covertly in densely populated areas.

Police units across the city have been instructed to continue strict action against drug traffickers. So far, narcotics worth several lakhs have been seized from Pune and its suburban regions.