ANC arrests drug seller as he delivers cannabis stash

A drug seller fell straight into the hands of the Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) even as he tried to evade the police by sending his driver to deliver a consignment.

A drug seller fell straight into the hands of the Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC) even as he tried to evade the police by sending his driver to deliver a consignment.

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ANC officials received a tip-off around a week ago about the consignment of cannabis that was to be delivered in Mumbai. After probing the information, the officers zeroed in on the buyer who was to meet the person carrying the contraband.

The buyer was caught and he agreed to assist the police. According to the police, the main supplier Ramesh Mudraj, 35, stayed in touch with the buyer throughout and kept informing him about his plans and the route he would take.

Mudraj then recruited Raju Rathod, 30, who was instructed to drive the 102 kg contraband in a Tata Indica car. Mudraj booked a ticket on a luxury bus and followed the car to Mumbai from Andhra Pradesh. “He decided to come by luxury bus while sending another man carrying the contraband as he wanted to be sure that even if the drugs were caught, it would be Rathod who would get arrested and not him,” said Rajendra Sangle, police inspector of ANC (Worli unit).

The officers laid a trap and allowed the buyer to go and meet Mudraj and exchange the two bags. As soon Mudraj picked up the bag containing cash, the ANC officers grabbed hold of him and Rathod.

Mudraj and Rathod have been arrested and charged under Sections 20, 29 and 8 (c) of the narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (NDPS) Act.