Mira Bhayandar: Collector of Thane district- Ashok Shingare felicitated police inspector (anti-narcotics cell) -Amar Marathe and his team for their excellent performance of arresting two Madhya Pradesh-based drug lords and seizing charas (cannabis) worth more than Rs 1.25 crore during the model code of conduct (MCC) period which was imposed ahead of the recently concluded assembly elections.
The district collector and election returning officer had issued standing instructions to the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police along with their Thane and Navi-Mumbai counterparts to intensify their drive to keep a check on anti-social elements and drug smuggling, owing to the assembly elections which were held on 20, November. The MCC had come into force on 15, October.
During patrolling, the ANC led by police inspector-Amar Marathe spotted two suspicious-looking men in the Golden Nest area of Bhayandar (east) on 28, October. The duo who apparently noticed the police jeep, tried to escape from the spot but were accosted after a hot chase by the ANC personnel.
Upon frisking the duo aged 53 and 45 years were found to be in possession of more than 3 kilograms of charas valued at more than Rs.1.25 crore in the international market. The duo turned out to be natives of Madhya Pradesh.
Both were arrested and booked under the relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Sensing the importance of the drug cache during poll time, the district collector selected the feat as an “Excellent Performance” and felicitated Marathe and his team by handing over an achievement certificate and memento as a token of appreciation.
