Nagpur, India: As part of the ‘Drug-Free Nagpur’ campaign, the city police on Friday launched ‘Operation Thunder,’ targeting 153 individuals involved in drug peddling from 2020 to 2024. The operation, spanning six hours, was led by Police Commissioner Dr. Ravinder Singal. Five Crime Branch units and police personnel from all stations conducted simultaneous searches at the residences of those previously charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Dr. Singal aim to check 800 offenders, many were either in prison, or had left Nagpur, or could not be located. As part of the operation, the police recorded the offenders’ details, took photographs and fingerprints, and examined their mobile phones to explore any ongoing connections with drug activities. This information is being uploaded into the new SIMBA App, an AI-powered tool to enhance crime tracking in Nagpur.

From January to September 2024, Nagpur Police arrested 261 individuals under the NDPS Act, seizing over 419 kg of narcotics, including marijuana, cocaine, mephedrone, and more, valued at ₹4.55 crore across 197 cases. Dr. Singal emphasized that the operation is part of a larger anti-drug campaign that also focuses on educating the public about the dangers of substance abuse.

Following the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, the police also launched a campaign against anti-social elements. Weapons worth ₹6 lakh have been confiscated, and 409 out of 2,124 licensed firearm holders have already surrendered their weapons to the authorities.

Senior officers, including Joint Commissioner of Police Nisar Tamboli, Additional Commissioner of Police Sanjay Patil, and Deputy Commissioners of Police Rahul Maknikar and Shweta Khedkar, were present at the press conference.

Tehsil Police Seize Marijuana

In a separate incident, Tehsil Police seized 2.790 kg of marijuana, worth ₹27,990, from a parcel at a transport office in Geetanjali Square. Acting on a tip-off, police arrested the accused, Abdul Asif Gani Shaikh (48), under the NDPS Act.

Heroin Seized from Peddler

Crime Branch Unit-5 arrested a drug peddler, Rakib Ahmad Aminuddin Malik (55), near Jai Bhim Chowk in Yashodhara Nagar, recovering 6.10 grams of heroin, a scooter, and two mobile phones worth ₹1.75 lakh. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act.