Cannabis worth 10.38 lakh seized in Bhiwandi, smuggler arrested

Crime Branch Unit-2 action, 20.967 kg cannabis seized; main supplier still being sought

City News Mumbai/ Gani Khan

In Bhiwandi, the Crime Branch Unit-2 conducted a major operation against drug trade and seized cannabis worth approximately 10.38 lakh rupees from the Eidgah Road area. Police arrested a 22‑year‑old youth at the scene. A total of 20.967 kilograms of cannabis was recovered from his possession. During interrogation, the accused disclosed that the cannabis was obtained from another person, after which the police named that individual as a wanted accused in the case.

According to police, at around 10:25 p.m. on 12 September, the Crime Branch Unit-2 team was patrolling the road near the Eidgah cemetery. During that time, police spotted Mohammad Officer Mummtaz Ansari (22) in a suspicious condition. He was taken into custody and searched, and 20.967 kilograms of cannabis were recovered from him. The estimated market value of the seized cannabis was reported as 10 lakh 38 thousand 350 rupees.

Later, at about 11:15 p.m., police arrested Officer Ansari. During interrogation, he told police that he had received the cannabis from Nadeem Samshar Ansari. Police have named Nadeem as a wanted accused in the case and are searching for him. The investigation is attempting to determine where the cannabis was sourced from and whether a larger network is involved.

In this case, crime number 388/2026 has been registered at Bhoiwara Police Station. Police have taken action against the accused under sections 8(C), 22(C) and 29 of the NDPS Act. The complaint in the matter was lodged by Crime Branch Unit-2 police havaldar Vasant Dongar Chauhre. The investigation is being conducted by Police Sub‑Inspector Ramchandra Jadhav.