THANE: In a major crackdown on drug abuse over the past year, the Thane city police registered 3,911 cases related to drug consumption and arrested 165 other drug traffickers.
The anti-narcotics drive led to the seizure of contraband worth Rs 17.42 crore.
Cannabis (ganja) emerged as the most commonly seized narcotic substance, with police confiscating 930 kg worth Rs 3.80 crore and arresting 135 individuals.
According to police officials, ganja's widespread availability is attributed to drug pushers who utilise various transport routes to smuggle it into the city and surrounding rural areas, said the police.
Ashutosh Dumbre, the Thane Police Commissioner, started the drive against the consumption based on the legal provisions of the NDPS Act.
The second most prevalent drug was Mephedrone (MD), with 9 kg worth Rs 8.78 crore seized and 88 suspects arrested. Police also recovered 14 kg of charas valued at Rs 1.32 crore, leading to nine arrests.
Additionally, officers seized 476 gm of MDMA worth Rs 95 lakh and 930 gm of liquid LSD valued at Rs 50 lakh, resulting in the arrest of two and four accused, respectively.
The police also managed to bust two factories in Uttar Pradesh that were involved in smuggling the MD powder to the state, said the police officer
In a concerning trend, police uncovered six cases involving non-prescribed cough syrup and medicines which are locally known as batla and buttons, seizing contraband worth Rs 7.5 lakh and arresting 13 accused.
"Cough syrup and non-prescribed drugs have emerged as cheaper alternatives to even ganja and charas.
These are preferred by addicts as the effects keep them in a trance for 14 to 20 hours or more, depending on consumption. Most of this is sold from shops run by medical dealers," explained a police officer.
The police also launched awareness sessions in schools and colleges, which resulted in students providing information about drug peddlers to law enforcement.
The investigation continues as authorities work to dismantle the entire drug trafficking network.
The police urged the citizens to inform them against any information of use of drug anywhere in the city .
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