Salt trader among three held, Mephedrone worth Rs 3.5 crore seized

After questioning, the duo revealed that they had procured the contraband from a man in Vishrantwadi area who owns a godown. In a coordinated action by five teams of the Crime Branch, a suspect identified as Haidar Shaikh (40), a resident of Vishrantwadi and a salt trader, was placed under arrest. In his seizure, 500 grams of Mephedrone was seized. In a raid conducted at his godown, another 750 grams of Mephedrone was seized amidst hundreds of gunny bags of salt.

“Investigation suggests that Shaikh may have been using his salt trading business as cover for smuggling Mephedrone. His interrogation revealed that he was procuring the drugs from a foreign national. We have launched a coordinated search for him.” said Senior Inspector Shabbir Sayyad of Unit 1 of the Crime Branch.

Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said, “10 special teams have been formed to probe the upward and downward linkages of the suspects who have been arrested. We are making coordinated efforts for the success of the ‘drug-free Pune’ campaign. We hope for full support from the citizens. A dedicated WhatsApp number 8975953100 has been earmarked for citizens to give inputs about drug usage and trafficking by messaging or calling on this number. The name of the informant will be kept secret.”