By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Dec 8:
The anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Mumbai Police recorded seven time increase in the drugs seized with the seizure of 2592.93 kg drugs worth Rs 83.19 crore this year, compared to last three years.
In 2021 till October, 2592.93 kg of drugs including 15830 bottles and 189 LSD papers worth Rs 83.19 crore were seized by the ANC.
In the year 2020, 427.277 kg of drugs including 5191 bottles and 66000 tabs 14 dot milligrams worth Rs. 22.24 crore were seized. Whereas 394.35 kg drugs including 1343 strips, 7577 bottles and 1551 dot milligrams worth Rs 25.29 crore were seized in 2019.
Thus in the last three years (2019, 2020 and 2021) 3414 kg drugs worth Rs 131 crore were seized, as the information given by the ANC in response to an RTI query by Anil Galgali. The drugs seized included: Cannabis, hashish, MD, cocaine, MDMA, codeine, opium, LSD papers, Alperzoam and Netravet tablets.
Most FIRs and arrests in 2021
The ANC recorded the highest number of FIR and the highest number of arrests in 2021, compared to 2019 and 2020. As of October 20, 2021, a total of 94 crimes were registered under which 137 accused were arrested. In 2019, 103 accused were arrested in 70 cases, while in 2020, 44 cases were registered and 58 accused were arrested, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ANC Sandeep Kale,stated in response to the RTI query by Galgali.
A total of 5 units are -South Regional Division- Azad Maidan Unit, Central Regional Division- Worli Unit, West Regional Division- Bandra, East Regional Division- Ghatkopar Unit, North Regional Division- Kandivali Unit are functioning under the ANC.
According to Galgali, if there is an increase in crime at the local level, the responsibility of the local police station should be fixed, because after the information is received by the ANC, a lot of time goes in between and sometimes the accused run away. Besides a public awareness should be created at the local level.
