The Crime Branch conducted a late-night raid on Tuesday near Banastarim market, leading to the arrest of a local youth. Identified as Keshav alias Sairaj Shet Verekar, aged 24, hailing from Usgaon, Ponda, the accused was apprehended for allegedly peddling drugs.
The raid, executed by the Crime Branch, yielded substantial evidence. A white polythene bag, purportedly containing greenish flowering and fruiting tops of a plant believed to be the narcotic drug Ganja, was seized. According to an official statement released by the department, the total weight of the confiscated substance was approximately 1.650 kgs, with an estimated international market value pegged at Rs 2.05 lakh.
Moreover, the raiding team confiscated a smartphone from the possession of the accused, which might hold crucial evidence related to the alleged drug peddling activities.
The arrest and seizure were made under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985, specifically under section 20(b)(ii)(B).
Investigations into the matter are ongoing as authorities aim to unravel the entirety of the operation and potentially unearth any associated networks.
