Mumbai Police Apprehend Drug Kingpin Laxmi ‘Bhai’ Pradhan in Odisha

Mumbai, 13th December 2023: The Mumbai police have apprehended the alleged mastermind of an inter-state drug syndicate, Laxmikant alias Laxmi Bhai Pradhan, and his associate Bidyadhar Pradhan from Odisha in connection with a two-year-old case involving the seizure of ganja (marijuana) worth Rs 3.85 crore in the city.

The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of the Mumbai Crime Branch conducted the operation and made the arrests in Golanthara, Odisha’s Ganjam district, on Saturday. Both individuals, who already face other criminal charges, were sought in connection with the drug seizure case from December 2021.

The ANC’s Ghatkopar unit had previously dismantled the interstate drug syndicate, arresting three individuals in possession of 1,820 kg of ganja valued at Rs 3.85 crore. The investigation revealed that the contraband was sourced from Odisha, leading to the registration of an offence under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Laxmibhai Pradhan, identified as the syndicate’s kingpin, had been evading arrest by moving across different cities in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The Mumbai police had been searching for him in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, where he faced pending criminal cases, including murder and those under the Arms Act.

Following a specific tip-off, a Mumbai police team was dispatched to Odisha, resulting in the arrest of Laxmi Bhai Pradhan and Bidyadhar. Both individuals were brought to Mumbai on transit remand, and an in-depth investigation is underway to trace other members of the syndicate. Laxmi Bhai Pradhan has a history of multiple criminal cases, including murder, across various parts of Odisha, while Bidyadhar Pradhan faces three criminal cases.