Instagram used to buy drugs, UPI for payments: Fadnavis

Speaking in the House, Fadnavis said, “Instagram has emerged as the drug marketplace where orders are being placed, payments are made through GPay and UPI and deliveries are made,” he said.

He added that decisive measures are being taken to stop the flow of drugs, while responding to questions from legislators Mahadev Jankar, Sachin Ahir, Anil Parab and others.

Talking about the increasing use of courier companies in supplying drugs, Fadnavis further said they have informed these companies that it was their responsibility to scrutinise parcels and ensure their services are not used for drug trade.

On the issue of a case pertaining to drug racketeer Lalit Patil and removal of Sanjiv Thakur from the post of dean of Sassoon Hospital, Fadnavis assured that proper action would be taken following a thorough inquiry. Patil emerged as the kingpin of a drug racket that was recently busted by Sakinaka police in Mumbai in a two-month operation, which included seizure of mephedrone worth about Rs 300 crore and a raid at a drug manufacturing unit in Nashik.

Fadnavis added that four policemen had been dismissed and six others suspended in connection with this case. “if any policemen is found involved in the drugs trade, instead of being suspended, he will be dismissed from the force.”

Fadnavis also said the government has initiated action against 172 Nigerians involved in drug-related offences. A detention centre has been established for Nigerian nationals engaged in such offences, he said. The deputy CM further said that 2,369 ‘paan’ shops in the vicinity of schools and colleges in Mumbai have been removed due to suspicion. The government has also seized 38,000 e-cigarettes, he said.