Police Constable Arrested for Tampering Seized Alprazolam in Pune Drug Racket
In a shocking case of police misconduct, a serving constable from the Ahilyanagar police has been arrested for siphoning and selling crystalline alprazolam that was seized in an earlier police action. The incident has exposed vulnerabilities in the handling of seized narcotics and pointed to a larger drug racket operating in the region.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
The investigation began on January 17, when Pune Rural police received concrete intelligence inputs. Acting swiftly, they arrested automobile garage owner Shadab Shaikh (41) in the early hours of January 18. From him, drugs weighing approximately 1.052 kg were seized. Initially suspected to be mephedrone, further analysis confirmed the substance as crystalline alprazolam.
Following this seizure, police obtained crucial leads that directed them towards a more extensive drug network. Investigators then focused their attention on a serving constable from the Ahilyanagar police. After gathering substantial evidence of his involvement in the illegal sale of drugs, he was arrested on Wednesday, January 21.
The accused constable has been identified as Shyamsundar Gujar (39), who was posted with the Local Crime Branch of the Ahilyanagar police at the time. His duties included maintaining the inventory of seized items in criminal cases, a position he allegedly exploited for illicit gains.
Modus Operandi and Seizure Details
According to police officials, constable Gujar tampered with the seal of the seizure inventory and replaced the seized alprazolam with another powder. This misappropriation occurred in December last year, while the drugs were logged into the central seizure inventory (muddemal kaksha) of the Ahilyanagar police.
Sandeep Singh Gill, Superintendent of Police, Pune Rural, stated, "Probe has till now ascertained that constable Gujar while on duty misappropriated the drugs seized in another offence and was selling it to the illicit market through other accused." He further explained that seized drugs are typically sealed as per court orders and can only be accessed by authorized personnel, making this breach particularly alarming.
With Gujar's arrest, the total quantity of crystalline alprazolam seized in this case has risen to 10.7 kg, including the initial one-kilogram seizure. The police are now seeking court permission to reopen the seal for further investigation to determine the exact amount misappropriated and check for any additional drugs that may have been tampered with.
Broader Implications and Drug Background
This case highlights significant concerns about internal corruption within law enforcement agencies. The Indian Express had previously reported that Pune Rural police are probing suspected links of the constable within the police machinery, indicating that this might not be an isolated incident.
Alprazolam is a prescription anti-anxiety drug from the benzodiazepine category, often misused for its sedative effects. Due to its high potential for abuse, it is regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in India when possessed or trafficked without authorization.
In a related major drug action in May last year, Ahilyanagar police had seized over 69 kg of alprazolam crystal and more than 338 kg of raw materials used for its manufacture. This followed intelligence inputs on drug smuggling from Shrirampur town in Ahilyanagar district, suggesting a persistent problem in the area.
The arrested constable and other suspects had allegedly planned to sell the alprazolam in the illegal market for Rs 10 to 12 lakh per kilogram, though its value is higher internationally. This case underscores the ongoing challenges in combating drug trafficking and the need for stricter oversight of seized contraband.
