Drug mafia find new route to evade ‘Operation Thunder'
Nagpur: To counter 'Operation Thunder', the aggressive anti-narcotics campaign launched by Nagpur city police, the drug mafia has found a new route connecting Madhya Pradesh to Nagpur for smuggling large quantities of narcotics into the city.
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Operating under the cover of darkness, drug traffickers are exploiting a less travelled, sparsely patrolled road to keep their illegal trade thriving, sources said.
The 'new smuggling route', originating from Ujjain and Bhopal, passes through Saoner and winds through rural areas like Patansaongi, Bharatwada, Gorewada, and Ambazari before reaching the heart of the Nagpur city.
The unmonitored stretch from Saoner to Nagpur is allowing the mafia to maintain their supply chain from states like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
This route, devoid of police vigilance, has become a lifeline for the narcotics trade, allowing consignments of Mephedrone (MD) powder, ganja, and cocaine to flood the city.
According to sources, the drug mafia operates in the early hours when the chances of encountering law enforcement agencies are negligible. "The route from Saoner to Nagpur cuts through rural areas, while police focus their efforts on main roads and highways," a source disclosed.
"Fleets of cars, including those operated by notorious mafia figures like Afsar Anda, transport huge quantities of ganja and MD through this route daily," he added.
Nagpur police's 'Operation Thunder' has made significant strides in curbing the narcotics trade. However, the crackdown pushed traffickers to adapt. DCP (crime) Rahul Maknikar vowed to take swift action. "If this route is being exploited, we will target it. We are deploying watchers, gathering intelligence, and planning strategic hits to choke supply line," he said.
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