Dharashiv police seize 100kg illegal opium from Kalamb in third raid this week

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: In a major crackdown, the Dharashiv police seized illegal opium pods and plants weighing around 100 kg, and collectively valued at Rs 15 lakh, from an agricultural field in Kalamb taluka late on Friday. This marked the third action against unlawful opium cultivation in the district within a week.The Kalamb police team carried out the raid around 7.15pm at agricultural land bearing Gat No. 316 in Kanherwadi village. During the operation, police found 10 white plastic sacks containing fresh green opium leaves along with pods and roots, allegedly cultivated and stored for illegal sale.The accused has been identified as Vilas Kawade, a resident of Kanherwadi in Kalamb taluka. He has been arrested. Police said the opium crop was grown in his field with the intention of selling it illegally. The entire stock was seized on the spot, and a case was registered under sections 8(c) and 18 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.Also on Friday, the Paranda police conducted a separate raid around 5.40pm at agricultural land bearing Gat 09 in Asu village. During the search, the team found 36 opium plants, bearing leaves and pods, weighing 1.3kg and collectively valued at Rs 19,590. The arrested accused in the Paranda case has been identified as Jayjayram Jadhav (63), a resident of Asu village. The police said the opium plants were allegedly cultivated in his field with the intention of selling the produce illegally. A case has been registered against him under sections 8(b) and 8(c) of the NDPS Act at Paranda police station.Dharashiv superintendent of police Ritu Khokher Kalyan said the district police have intensified surveillance on illegal narcotic cultivation following consecutive detections this week. "We are conducting targeted operations based on specific intelligence inputs. Action will continue against those involved in illegal opium plantation, storage and trafficking," she said.Earlier on Wednesday, the Dharashiv local crime branch seized 485.6 kg of illegally cultivated opium plants worth Rs 72.8 lakh from an agricultural field in Washi taluka of the district. The accused farmer, identified as Samadhan Ughade, a resident of Dashmegav, allegedly fled after learning about the impending raid and is currently absconding.With three separate seizures in a span of three days in Washi, Paranda and Kalamb, the Dharashiv police maintained that the possibility of finding some more illegal plantations of opium and other narcotic substances planned in deep, remote rural pockets cannot be ruled out.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Valentine's day wishes, messages and quotes !