Pune: Cocaine Worth Rs 30.5 Lakhs Seized From Tanzanian National
Pune, 16th February 2024: In a significant operation, the Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Pune City Police Crime Branch apprehended a Tanzanian national, Hassani Mwinyi Mchonga (36), for the possession of cocaine valued at Rs 30.5 lakhs. The arrest took place at a public location in Wadachi Wadi, Undri, following a tip-off received by Police Naik Yogesh Mandhare and the ANC team on Wednesday.
The accused, a resident of Tanzania, had been staying in an apartment in Undri. Acting swiftly on the intelligence, the ANC team laid a trap that led to the successful apprehension of Mchonga. A thorough search of the suspect resulted in the recovery of 152 grams of cocaine, estimated to have an illicit value of Rs 30.5 lakhs.
Police Inspector Anita Hivarkar of ANC disclosed that Mchonga had entered India a few months ago on a valid business visa from Tanzania, which had not yet expired. Despite claiming involvement in a cloth business, investigations revealed his participation in a drug racket. The police are currently probing the source from which he procured the seized cocaine.
An FIR has been registered against Mchonga at the Kondhwa police station under sections of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, as stated in a press release issued today.
In a separate operation based on intelligence provided to Police Constable Chetan Gaikwad, the ANC team arrested Kisan Nandakishor Ladhar (34) on Dhanori Lohegaon road on Wednesday. Ladhar, a native of Rajasthan residing in Lohegaon, was found in possession of 22 grams of Mephedrone valued at Rs 4.5 lakhs. An FIR has been lodged against him at the Vishrantwadi police station.
Both arrests highlight the ongoing efforts of the Pune City Police to curb the illegal drug trade in the region. The ANC remains vigilant and committed to ensuring the safety and security of the community through proactive operations against narcotics-related activities.
