Cops nab 2 MD drug peddlers, kingpin still elusive

Nagpur: The special cell of crime branch dealing with cases related to narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances (NDPS) managed to break two peddling modules trading in ‘MD’ or mephedrone powder within a span of 24 hours.
Youngsters, especially college students, are prime targets of MD rackets. Known for it’s ‘kick’, consumption of MD is learnt to have become a trend among younger generations, who are also turning to part-time peddling to sponsor their own dose of the intoxicant. The drug costs Rs2,700 to Rs3,000 for one gram. Some of the bigger racketeers have their own networks of peddlers, who are also known by code name ‘taxi’.

City police crime branch may have managed to bust several modules of MD peddling rackets but the mastermind ‘Mujaheed’ is yet to be nabbed. The MD dealing networks had managed to spread their tentacles in the city before police started zeroing down upon the racketeers towards the end of last year. One of the most prominent MD drug rackets, allegedly headed by gangster Abu and his close aides, was busted by crime branch’s special cell under PI RD Nikam this year.

The city-based modules are learnt to be receiving supplies from Mumbai, where too the city police tried to make some forays based on inputs but without success.

On April 20, crime branch squad under PI Raju Bahadure had managed to nab alleged MD supplier Anmol Khobragade, who had just reached the city from Mumbai by bus. He was caught near Mhada Colony with 27gm MD worth Rs81,000. An offence was registered at Sitabuldi police station.

Senior PI Bahadure said MD racketeers have started using buses to avoid the usual train routes. “We have nabbed several racketeers as they reach the city by bus,” he said. “Younger peddlers have contacts in Mumbai who supply them the contraband substance,” he said.

On April 21, Vijay Wanjari and his female companion Payal Chorde were nabbed with 36gm MD power worth Rs1.08 lakh. They were nabbed from Azam Shah Chowk.