Festival spirit: Anti-narcotics cell knows it will have job cut out

With Holi celebrations round the corner,the anti-narcotics cell of the Pune police are all geared up to put a check on consumption of various narcotic drugs,

With Holi celebrations round the corner,the anti-narcotics cell of the Pune police are all geared up to put a check on consumption of various narcotic drugs,specially bhang and illegal liquor which goes up every year around this period.

Police sources said as the Holi season approaches,both sale and consumption of bhang,a bi-product of ganja (cannabis) goes up as the demand across all economic strata goes up. Rajendra Dahale,deputy commissioner of police (Cyber crime and economic offenses wing) said,We are putting together all efforts to prevent sale and consumption of all banned substances and illegal liquor. Our staff from the narcotics cell and officers from respective police stations will be deployed at various places in civil dresses. More vigilance will be provided to places where Holi is celebrated on a large scale and or place where Holi ‘bashes’ are held.”

He added,”We have found that that rise is only in consumption of Bhang. Sale and consumption of other drugs like opium,cocoin,charas does not go up significantly.”

The anti-narcotics cell has a strength of 14 with including one police inspector and three police sub inspectors. When asked where the strength is adequate or not,Dahale said,All the people in our cell are the ones who have a very elaborate network of informants. When it comes to actual action or raids,we do take help from respective police stations. The 14 officers are our eyes,ears and noses for anti-narcotics operations.

The Pune police will also be aided by a specially trained dog,Jai,who can detect the presence of various narcotics substances.

We have identified about 32 persons in the city who repeated offenders in these cases. Special house searches will be carried out at the places from where these 32 are known to be operating. It is found that the areas like Kondhwa,Yerawada,Pimpri,Swargate and Market Yard have higher occurrence of cases cases under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Police said special focus will be given to these areas.

The police have urged people to inform them about cases where people are known to be consuming the various drugs or illegal liquor. People can contact the cell at 26208239 and inform about the cases. The name of the informant will be kept secret, Dahale added.

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Another number where people can contact is that of Satish Devre of anti-narcotics cell 9860910001.

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NDPS Act