Rajasthan native held with poppy straw worth ₹2.61 lakh in Kharadi

The accused, Mukesh Bishnoi (30), resides at Kharadkar Park in Thite Vasti, Kharadi, and is originally from Rajasthan

The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Pune Police on Sunday arrested a 30-year-old Rajasthan native for allegedly possessing and intending to sell poppy straw (doda chura) in Kharadi. Police seized 13kg of the contraband, valued at ₹2.61 lakh.

An ANC team was patrolling the area on June 6 when Police constable Janhavi Suryawanshi spotted Bishnoi standing near Kharadkar Park with two sacks. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

The accused, Mukesh Bishnoi (30), resides at Kharadkar Park in Thite Vasti, Kharadi, and is originally from Rajasthan.

According to police, an ANC team was patrolling the area on June 6 when Police constable Janhavi Suryawanshi spotted Bishnoi standing near Kharadkar Park with two sacks. Suspicious of his movements, the team questioned him. When he failed to provide satisfactory answers, officers searched the sacks and allegedly found 13.08kg of poppy straw concealed inside.

A case has been registered against Bishnoi under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Kharadi police station on Saturday, June 6.

“The accused had allegedly procured the contraband from Rajasthan and was planning to distribute it in Pune. We are investigating the supply chain and examining whether other persons are involved in the racket. The crackdown on narcotics trafficking in the city will continue with sustained intensity,” said Gauhar Hasan, deputy commissioner of police (crime).