Navi Mumbai Police Bust ₹41.5 Crore Drug Network, Arrest 1,453 Under ‘Drug-Free Navi Mumbai’ Campaign
Navi Mumbai: As part of the ‘Drug-Free Navi Mumbai’ campaign, the Navi Mumbai Police have, over the last two years, carried out an extensive crackdown on the city’s drug trade. Their efforts have resulted in the seizure of narcotics worth Rs 41.5 crore and the arrest of 1,453 accused, including 62 foreign nationals, effectively dismantling major narcotics networks operating across the region, Navi Mumbai said.
The operation was initiated under the leadership of Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe, who, after assuming charge, observed that school and college students were increasingly falling prey to drug abuse. Determined to curb the growing menace, Bharambe launched a citywide campaign that included aggressive raids, surveillance, and coordination between crime branch officials and local police.
Acting under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Crime Deepak Sakore and DCP Amit Kale, Senior Inspector Sandeep Nigade of the Anti-Narcotics Cell, along with his team, led raids across high-risk areas such as schools, colleges, railway stations, bus stands, shopping malls, and gardens. Over 1,104 targeted operations were conducted during this period.
Significantly, the crackdown revealed a large number of African nationals involved in narcotics trafficking. Many were also found to be living illegally. In response, the police intensified action against foreign nationals, detaining 660 individuals over the past 18 months.
Of these, 62 were confirmed to be drug traffickers. All were deported to their home countries, and biometric data was submitted to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to prevent re-entry.
Among the major highlights of the campaign was Operation Prahar, where police simultaneously raided 48 locations in a single day, arresting seven people and seizing 20.7 kg of ganja along with cash, amounting to a total seizure of Rs 40 lakh.
Another major breakthrough came when the Anti-Narcotics Unit busted an international hydro ganja smuggling ring. Drugs worth Rs 3 crore were seized, and 20 individuals were arrested, including two police personnel and one customs official.
The racket’s mastermind, Navin Chinchkar, was extradited from Malaysia. Investigations revealed that hydro ganja was being trafficked from Thailand and the United States. Police are still tracing 14 more suspects involved in the network.
In a more recent development, the anti-drugs team raided a room at Sea Shore Lodge on Palm Beach Road in CBD Belapur and seized 38.2 grams of heroin worth ₹15.28 lakh. Two suspects from Punjab — Paramjit Singh and Sukhvinder Dara Singh — were arrested, while three other accomplices, including local handlers known as "Monu" and "Diesel," are absconding.
Commenting on the campaign, Senior PI Sandeep Nigade stated, “Through strategic and consistent enforcement, we have been able to crush the operations of inter-state and international drug syndicates in Navi Mumbai. We remain vigilant and will continue to monitor any resurgence. Citizens are urged to stay alert and report any suspicious activity.”
news