Pune Police Arrest Fast Food Vendor Involved In Drug Trade, Opium Worth Rs 8.34 Lakh Seized
Ambegaon, 13th June 2023: A fast food vendor in the Ambegaon area, driven by the desire for quick money, made a fateful decision to become involved in drug trafficking. However, his aspirations for easy wealth were short-lived as he found himself caught in the clutches of the police.
Jitendra Devilal Sharma, a 38-year-old originally from Rajasthan, was apprehended by the Anti Narcotics Cell of the Pune police crime branch. The sleuths revealed that they had recovered 417 grams and 450 mg of uncut opium from Sharma, amounting to a total value of Rs 8,34,000. Additionally, a scooter, a car, an android phone, and a weighing machine were seized as well.
Sharma attempted to create a defence strategy by claiming that he was addicted to narcotics and had possessed the opium for personal consumption. His intention was to seek leniency in punishment since the legal provisions for drug possession by an addict are milder compared to those for drug peddlers and traffickers. However, his excuse quickly fell apart when the large quantity of narcotics found in his possession surpassed what could be considered for personal use.
Senior Inspector Vinayak Gaikwad from the anti-narcotics cell provided further details, stating that Sharma was apprehended from a vacant plot in Ambegaon plateau. Acting on a tip-off that Sharma was selling drugs to small-time peddlers in the city, the police set up a trap to catch him in the act.
“We contacted Sharma and placed an order for a narcotic substance. He directed us to meet him at a secluded vacant plot on the outskirts of Ambegaon to collect the drugs. When Sharma attempted to hand over the drugs to our undercover officer, we revealed our identities and made the arrest,” explained Gaikwad.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Sharma had connections with drug dealers in his hometown of Rajasthan. Approximately 15 years ago, he had relocated to Pune and initially operated a fast food stall in Ambegaon. However, dissatisfied with his legitimate earnings, he reconnected with the drug dealers in his native place and began engaging in drug trafficking.
Sharma has been charged under Sections 8(a) and 17(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985. The case against him has been registered at the Bharti Vidyapeeth police station.
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