Pune Police Destroy Seized Narcotics Worth Rs 7.76 Crore in Ranjangaon
Pune, 25th March 2025: In a significant step against drug trafficking, Pune Police destroyed seized narcotics worth Rs 7.76 crore today at a facility in Ranjangaon MIDC. The drugs, weighing approximately 788.95 kilograms, included marijuana, mephedrone, cocaine, LSD, charas, opium poppy straw, heroin, and marijuana-laced pills. This operation was conducted under the supervision of the Drug Disposal Committee, following court orders.
The seized narcotics were inspected earlier in the day at Shivajinagar Police Headquarters in the presence of senior officials, including Pune City Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shailesh Balkawade, DCP (Crime) Nikhil Pingle, and DCP (Headquarters) Dr. Sandeep Bhajibhakre. Representatives from the Maharashtra State Excise Department and Regional Forensic Science Laboratory also participated to ensure transparency. The destruction process adhered to legal protocols and was monitored by officials from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) alongside government photographers and videographers.
The majority of the drugs destroyed consisted of marijuana smuggled into Pune from Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. The rise in drug abuse among youth in Pune has prompted intensified police action against traffickers and clandestine sellers. Investigations revealed that many young users transitioned from marijuana to more dangerous substances like mephedrone.
This operation is part of broader efforts by the Pune Police to combat drug-related crimes. In a prior bust at Kurkumbh MIDC, authorities seized mephedrone worth Rs 3,674 crore, with plans to destroy it in April.
