Pune: Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Officer Arrested with 44.50 kg of MD Drugs Worth Rs 45 Crore

Pimpri Chinchwad, 2nd March 2024: Police Sub Inspector Vikas Shelke, currently posted at Nigdi Police Station, has been arrested by the anti-narcotics squad of Pimpri-Chinchwad Police. The arrest follows the initial detention of a youth attempting to sell mephedrone (MD) drugs, leading investigators to the startling discovery of 44.50 kg of MD drugs valued at a staggering Rs 45 crore in possession of PSI Shelke.

The investigation began on Friday (March 1) around 4:30 am when Sangvi police took action at Pimple Nilakh, resulting in the arrest of Namami Shankar Jha, a 32-year-old resident of Nigdi and native of Bihar. Police had recovered 2 kg MD drugs worth Rs two crore from the possession of Jha.

However, the situation took an unexpected turn as the investigation progressed, revealing the direct involvement of PSI Shelke in the case. Subsequently, after a thorough inquiry conducted by senior officers, Shelke was arrested. The subsequent search of his possessions uncovered a substantial stash of 44.50 kg of MD drugs.

The sheer scale of the seized narcotics, valued at Rs 45 crore, has sent shockwaves throughout the state, prompting concerns about the potential implications of a police officer’s involvement in drug-related activities.

Last month, Pune City Police had busted a factory manufacturing MD drugs in the Kurkumbh MIDC area. During investigations, the Pune Police team had seized about 1800 kg MD drugs from Pune, Sangli and New Delhi.