In a significant crackdown on the illegal sale of prescription drugs, the Khadak police in Pune have arrested two individuals accused of supplying sedative tablets to youngsters across the city. The accused were allegedly selling these tablets as intoxicants, positioning them as substitutes for narcotic drugs.
Duo Arrested Following Police Investigation
The Khadak police team, led by Senior Inspector Shashikant Chavan, apprehended the two suspects on November 25. The arrested individuals have been identified as Sameer Shaikh (40) and Sunil Sharma (34), both residents of Kondhwa in Pune. Their illicit operation, which had been running for approximately six months, was brought to a halt following a targeted police investigation.
Modus Operandi and Seizure Details
During the course of the probe, authorities conducted a raid and made a substantial seizure. The police confiscated a total of 6,900 sedative tablets, with an estimated street value of Rs 1.47 lakhs. Investigations revealed a well-organized supply chain. According to police officials, the duo would procure the tablets from a dealer based in Delhi. The consignments were then shipped to Pune via courier services.
Assistant Inspector Arjun Kudale of Khadak police provided further details about the accused and their operation. "Sharma works as a medical representative for a pharmacy company, while Shaikh is currently unemployed," he stated. The pair allegedly targeted vulnerable areas, selling the tablets in slum pockets located in Yerawada, Kondhwa, Kasewadi, and other parts of Pune.
Tablets Used for Intoxication, Case Registered Under NDPS Act
Senior Inspector Shashikant Chavan emphasized the danger of this illegal trade. "The youngsters were using these tablets for intoxication as substitutes for drugs," he explained. This highlights a growing and dangerous trend of prescription drug abuse among youth seeking cheap alternatives to narcotics.
Assistant Inspector Kudale reiterated the legal breach, stating, "It is illegal to sell these tablets without a doctor's prescription." In response to their actions, a formal case has been registered against Shaikh and Sharma under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Khadak police station. The police are continuing their investigation to potentially uncover further links in the supply chain.
