Pune Police Destroy Seized Drugs Worth Rs 1.75 Crore in Major Anti-Narcotics Operation
Pune, 30th October 2025: In a major action against the narcotics trade, the Pune City Police Crime Branch’s Anti-Narcotics Squad destroyed seized drugs worth ₹1.75 crore, marking one of the city’s largest disposal operations in recent months. The contraband, seized in 32 cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, was destroyed in the furnace of the MEPL Company in Ranjangaon under strict government supervision.
The large-scale disposal was carried out under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Pankaj Deshmukh, who also chairs the Seized Property Destruction Committee. He was joined by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Nikhil Pingale, DCP (Headquarters) Rajalakshmi Shivanakar, and officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, State Excise Department, and the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL), Pune.
Drugs from 32 NDPS Cases Destroyed
According to officials, the narcotics destroyed were seized from multiple police stations across the city, including Khadak, Faraskhana, Deccan, Kothrud, and Lonikand. The destroyed substances included ganja (marijuana), MD (mephedrone), cocaine, heroin, MDMA, methamphetamine, charas, opium plants, edulis fertilizer, and ‘banta’ tablets, collectively valued at ₹1,75,06,580.
Before disposal, all items were verified, catalogued, and approved by the committee as per the provisions of the NDPS Act and notifications issued by the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), Government of India, and the Home Department (Special), Government of Maharashtra.
A senior police officer from the Crime Branch said the drive was part of a systematic effort to ensure seized drugs do not re-enter circulation. “The disposal is done scientifically and transparently in the presence of all relevant authorities. It prevents misuse and strengthens the credibility of the investigation process,” the officer stated.
Anti-Narcotics Teams Led the Operation
The on-ground execution was handled by teams from Anti-Narcotics Squad 1 and 2, led by Police Inspector Prashant Annachhatre, assisted by Assistant Police Inspectors Anil Suravase and Nitin Naik, and PSI Asmita Lad. They were supported by more than two dozen police constables and technical staff from the Crime Branch who ensured security and procedural compliance during the destruction.
The seized drugs, weighing several hundred kilograms in total, were placed in MEPL’s industrial incinerator, equipped with a high-temperature furnace designed to neutralize narcotic substances without releasing harmful emissions. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board supervised the process to ensure environmental safety standards were followed.
Police Reaffirm Zero-Tolerance Policy Against Narcotics
The Pune Police said this initiative is part of an ongoing anti-narcotics campaign aimed at curbing drug abuse and dismantling trafficking networks in the city. Over the past year, the Crime Branch has intensified its crackdown on illegal drug operations, resulting in multiple high-value seizures and arrests.
Additional CP (Crime) Pankaj Deshmukh said the operation reflects the department’s firm resolve to combat drug abuse. “The destruction of seized narcotics sends a clear message that Pune Police will not tolerate the presence or distribution of illegal substances. Every case is investigated thoroughly, and every recovered item is disposed of lawfully,” he said.
