Pune: Bharati Vidyapeeth Police Seize 35 Kg Ganja, Arrest Two
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Katraj, 16th May 2026: In a major crackdown under the ongoing “Drug-Free Pune” campaign, the Bharati Vidyapeeth Police have busted a racket involved in smuggling and selling marijuana (ganja) using auto-rickshaws across the city. Over the last four days, authorities have arrested two individuals and seized more than 35 kilograms of ganja along with two auto-rickshaws, collectively valued at approximately Rs 8 lakh.
The primary arrest took place late on Thursday, May 14, at around 11:00 PM. A police patrol team intercepted an auto-rickshaw on the service road near Ambegaon Budruk. Upon searching the vehicle, the police found the driver, identified as Charudatta Kaluram Chavan (25), a resident of Ganganagar, Fursungi, in possession of 2 kg of ganja intended for illicit sale.
Chavan was immediately taken into custody and an FIR (No. 239/2026) was registered against him under Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(B), and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
During the subsequent investigation, directed by Senior Police Inspector Rahul Khilare, the police recovered a hidden stash of an additional 33 kilograms of ganja, valued at roughly Rs 6.45 lakh, from the accused. Investigations revealed that Chavan was part of a larger syndicate exploiting auto-rickshaws to discreetly transport and peddle narcotics within the city.
Just two days prior to this major haul, the Bharati Vidyapeeth police had apprehended another suspect employing the identical modus operandi, seizing half a kilogram of ganja and an auto-rickshaw. Assistant Police Inspector Swapnil Patil is currently investigating both cases.
The successful operation was executed under the guidance of Additional CP (West Region) Rajesh Bansode, DCP (Zone 2) Milind Mohite, and ACP Rahul Aware.
The team from the Bharati Vidyapeeth Police Station was led by Senior Police Inspector Rahul Khilare, alongside Police Inspector (Crime) Kailas Kodag, Assistant Police Inspector Swapnil Patil, and Police Sub-Inspector Nilesh Mokashi. The on-ground squad that carried out the action included police personnel Mahesh Baravkar, Mangesh Pawar, Kiran Sable, Mangesh Gaikwad, Tukaram Sutar, Avdhut Jamdade, Sachin Sarpale, Mitesh Chormole, and Nilesh Khairmode.
