Daijiworld Media Network - Valsad
Valsad, Oct 5: Valsad district police disposed of narcotics-related contraband worth nearly Rs 32.39 crore in 100 cases at a facility in Bharuch district, using a scientific and environmentally friendly process as part of its action against the illegal drug trade.
Police said the disposal was carried out in accordance with provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, in the presence of a Special Disposal Committee.
The seized contraband was disposed of at BEIL Company in Dahej, Bharuch district, to ensure that narcotic substances seized in various cases were not kept in storage for long periods or misused.
The district police said contraband seized in more than 14 cases is scheduled to be disposed of in the coming days in the presence of the Special Disposal Committee.
Meanwhile, Valsad police said they had detected 50 NDPS cases since January 1 this year, arrested 95 accused and seized narcotics worth more than Rs 1.71 crore. The total quantity seized was 218.838 kg.
Of the 50 cases, 18 were detected by the Special Operation Group (SOG), two by the Local Crime Branch (LCB) and 30 by various police stations in the district.
The seizures included 213.686 kg of ganja valued at around Rs 1.06 crore, 1.787 kg of hybrid ganja worth Rs 62.55 lakh, 10.65 grams of heroin valued at Rs 1.91 lakh and 3.355 kg of poppy straw worth Rs 50,325. The total value of the seized contraband was Rs 1,71,54,327.
The SOG accounted for 18 of the 50 cases and arrested 41 accused. It seized 175.566 kg of ganja, 0.871 kg of hybrid ganja and 3.355 kg of poppy straw, collectively valued at Rs 1,52,24,900.
The LCB detected two cases, arrested seven accused and seized 13.257 kg of ganja worth Rs 6,62,850, police said.
The district police also said it was monitoring the activities of persons arrested under the NDPS Act after their release from jail. Police personnel periodically visit their homes and places of business. Habitual offenders found involved in another offence under the NDPS Act can face action under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, or PIT NDPS Act.
Police said action under the PIT NDPS Act had been initiated against one habitual offender, who was subsequently sent to Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad.
As part of its preventive measures, Valsad police organised more than 25 drug-awareness programmes at schools, colleges and public places during the current year.
The programmes reached 4,151 people and focused on the physical, social and economic consequences of drug abuse.
Police appealed to citizens to report illegal activities involving narcotic substances to the nearest police station, assuring that the identity of informants would be kept confidential.