Mumbai: The Mumbai Police seized close to Rs 10 crore worth of narcotics during the model code of conduct period before the Vidhan Sabha elections. Police also seized over 3,700 litres of alcohol and 269 weapons. The model code of conduct came into effect from Oct 15.
The EC guidelines require police to conduct special drives to check for transportation or storage of illegal arms, illicit liquor, cash, and contraband, besides compiling a list of history-sheeters and individuals indulging in electoral offences.
An IPS officer said every police station was tasked with carrying out crackdowns within their jurisdictions. In one month, police registered 157 offences pertaining to narcotics possession. Of the total narcotics seizures worth Rs 10 crore, the single largest seizure of Rs 5.5 crore was made in Dhule, where a Mumbai police team discovered a marijuana farm. “We initially arrested one person in Sakinaka with marijuana. After investigating the source of the drugs, our team reached Dhule on Nov 17 during the model code of conduct. We seized 2,800 kg of marijuana from the farm,” explained an officer from the Anti Narcotics Cell (ANC).
Police also recorded 608 offences regarding possession of liquor during the period, seizing 3,769 litres worth Rs 19.17 lakh.
Police also recorded 243 offences pertaining to possession of weapons, seizing 49 firearms and 220 sharp weapons. tnn