Pune Crime: MCOCA Invoked Against Ganja Gang Operating in Kondhwa, Swargate
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Kondhwa, 8th August 2026: Pune police have invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against an alleged organised gang involved in the illegal sale of cannabis (Ganja) in the Kondhwa and Swargate areas, according to a press note issued on Saturday.
The accused named in the case are Yasmin Karim Sheikh, 45, a resident of Shivnerinagar in Kondhwa Khurd; Amir Sameer Sheikh, 19, also from Shivnerinagar; and Shama alias Joharabee Mustaq Sheikh, a resident of Mahatma Phule Vasahat near the slaughterhouse in Kondhwa. Two other accused, including the alleged gang leader, are wanted, police said.
The action was taken in connection with Crime No. 328/2026 registered at Kondhwa Police Station under Sections 8(b), 20(b)(ii)(C) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2) and 3(4) of MCOCA have now been added to the case.
“The gang allegedly continued its criminal activities despite earlier preventive action. Evidence was collected against its members, and a proposal seeking action under MCOCA was submitted to the senior authorities within the stipulated period,” Senior Police Inspector Santosh Khetmalas said.
Police said the alleged gang leader and four associates had previously been booked at Kondhwa and Swargate police stations for offences involving illegal cannabis sales and bodily harm. Preventive action had also been taken against them, but they allegedly continued to commit offences.
According to police, the gang had created fear in areas under the jurisdiction of Kondhwa and Swargate police stations. Its members allegedly intimidated residents and were involved in offences related to outraging the modesty of women and causing grievous hurt.
The MCOCA proposal was prepared under the guidance of Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police Sanjay Darade, Additional Commissioner of Police for the Eastern Region Manoj Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police for Zone V Rajalakshmi Shivankar, and Wanowrie Division Assistant Commissioner of Police Ramdas Ingle.
The operation was supervised by Senior Police Inspector Santosh Khetmalas and Police Inspectors (Crime) Prashant Mandale and Santosh Choudhari.
Surveillance officer Police Sub-Inspector Sagar Pawar, Police Sub-Inspector Ravindra Gawade, Assistant Police Sub-Inspectors Shekhar Koli and Sharad Wakse, and police personnel Ekonge, Chavan, Palase and Mane collected evidence against the accused and submitted the MCOCA proposal to the senior authorities.
Police said further investigation into the alleged gang’s activities and efforts to trace the two wanted accused were underway.
