In Thane, the crime branch arrested an autorickshaw driver allegedly in possession of heroin worth Rs 6.68 crore. In Palghar’s Talasari area, police intercepted a tempo on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Highway and found a large quantity of liquor concealed among medicines
Further investigation is underway in both cases to establish the source of the drugs. Representational Pic
Maharashtra Police carried out two major intelligence-led operations in Palghar and Thane districts, resulting in the seizure of high-value contraband, news agency PTI reported.
In Palghar, officers intercepted a tempo that was allegedly transporting medicines and discovered liquor worth Rs 9.38 lakh hidden inside the cargo. In Thane, the crime branch arrested an autorickshaw driver for allegedly possessing heroin worth Rs 6.68 crore.
Palghar: Liquor found hidden in medicine shipment
In Palghar’s Talasari area, a police team intercepted a tempo on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Highway after receiving a tip-off, PTI reported. Upon searching the vehicle, police found a large quantity of liquor concealed among medicines, Deputy Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh said. The seizure was made during a routine check, and officers said the liquor was carefully hidden to avoid detection.
The driver, identified as Shivendrakumar Lalbabu Thakur (41), claimed he was carrying medicines for a pharmaceutical company and produced a bill to support his claim. However, officers discovered that the liquor was hidden within the stock.
Following the discovery, police registered a case against Thakur under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act. An investigation is ongoing to determine the origin and intended destination of the liquor. Police are also trying to establish whether the driver was part of a larger smuggling network.
50-year-old rickshaw driver held with heroin in Thane
In a separate operation in Thane city, the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Thane Crime Branch arrested Fardin Gulzar Mulla, a 50-year-old autorickshaw driver, for allegedly carrying heroin, PTI reported. The arrest was made after a tip-off, and the suspect was intercepted in the Ghodbunder Road area on the night of February 1, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amarsingh Jadhav said. Authorities said the arrest followed a targeted surveillance operation based on leads.
Police recovered 2.288 kg of heroin from Mulla, estimated to be worth Rs 6.68 crore. He has been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The DCP added that further investigation is underway to trace the source of the drugs, identify the intended buyers, and uncover other members of the drug supply network. Officers said the case is likely linked to a larger trafficking chain that uses small vehicles and local transport services to move drugs across regions.
(With PTI Inputs)
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