Navi Mumbai, April 25: In a massive anti-narcotics crackdown, Navi Mumbai Police have seized drugs worth Rs 136.03 crore over the past four years, registering 1,993 cases and arresting 2,396 accused under the NDPS Act.

The action, led by Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe under the “Nasha Mukt Navi Mumbai” campaign, also resulted in the deportation of 1,571 foreign nationals, with 911 blacklisted for illegal stay and alleged involvement in drug-related activities.

Police said the crackdown involved a series of coordinated operations, including Operation Garuda, Operation African Kitchen and Operation Prahar, targeting both local peddlers and larger trafficking networks.

In one of the biggest drives in 2024, 75 officers and 300 personnel raided 25 locations simultaneously, detaining 89 suspects and seizing large quantities of cocaine, mephedrone (MD) and tramadol tablets.

Investigations by the Anti-Narcotics Cell, led by Senior Police Inspector Sandeep Nigade, exposed international and inter-state drug syndicates. A major breakthrough came with the busting of a hydroponic ganja racket linked to Thailand, leading to the arrest of key accused Navin and Dhiraj Chinchkar from Malaysia.

The case also led to the dismissal of two Navi Mumbai police constables under service rules and the arrest of 26 individuals, including a Customs officer and two postal employees.

In another operation, police dismantled a Punjab-based heroin trafficking network, seizing drugs worth Rs 5.32 crore. Seven cases were registered, with 56 accused identified. Of these, 44 were arrested from Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, Amritsar, Pune and Chennai, and are currently lodged in Taloja Central Jail.

On the local front, stringent action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) was taken against a Rabale-based gang led by Shantabai Karandekar, dismantling a key distribution network. Under Operation Prahar, raids were conducted at 48 locations targeting street-level drug suppliers.

Between January 1, 2023, and April 14, 2026, police deported 1,571 foreign nationals, while notices were issued to 84 individuals for overstaying their visas, as part of efforts to curb illegal activities linked to narcotics.

Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe said, “Making Navi Mumbai completely drug-free is our top priority. We are targeting not just local peddlers but also international and inter-state supply chains. Our zero-tolerance policy will continue, and strict action will be taken against anyone involved in the drug trade.”

Year-wise action under NDPS Act

2023: 290 cases, 353 arrests, drugs worth Rs 21 crore seized

2024: 484 cases, 609 arrests, drugs worth Rs 30 crore seized

2025: 990 cases, 1,156 arrests, drugs worth Rs 67.48 crore seized

Till March 2026: 229 cases, 278 arrests, drugs worth Rs 17.27 crore seized

Mumbai: The Mumbai Crime Branch has claimed to have arrested an accused and his accomplice who killed an informant to avenge an encounter with his gangster uncle Kalia. In this case, the police have arrested gangster Sadiq Kalia’s nephew Sadiq Aqib Jawar, 29, and his accomplice Naushad Yusuf Mithani. The police have claimed to have solved the mystery of the murder of 78-year-old Mohammad Iqbal Saliya in Nagpara area on April 20. On April 20, the deceased was attacked and killed by two assailants who barged into his house. In this case, the Mumbai Crime Branch has started an investigation and has claimed to have arrested two accused. The accused number one is the nephew of gangster Sadiq Kalia alias Kalia. Sadiq Kalia was encountered by the Mumbai Police in 1997 and Arif Kalia in 2000. In this case, the police have arrested both the absconding accused from Nagpur’s Taj Bagh. Both the accused were trying to escape from Nagpur. Meanwhile, the police received information and the police have arrested a 29-year-old and his 25-year-old friend and accomplice in this case. Both of them had switched off their mobile phones after committing the murder and had gone into hiding in Nagpur. During the police investigation, the accused has revealed that Saliya was behind the encounter of Sadiq and Arif Kalia. There was a tip-off and on the tip-off, the two had an encounter. The accused was angry and to avenge the murder of his uncle, he killed Salia and his friend assisted him. This operation was carried out by DCP Raj Tilak Roshan under the guidance of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti and Joint Commissioner of Police Crime Lakshmi Gautam.

Mumbai: BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has demanded action against 64 illegal schools in Govind Shivaji Nagar Begun, Mumbai. During his visit to Govind, Kirit Somaiya has also inspected the illegal school in which students study. The condition of the school is very bad and due to its dilapidation, there is a risk of accidents because the four-storey illegal school houses classes from class 1 to 4. In such a situation, if an accident happens to the school, there is a risk of loss of life. Kirit Somaiya, while addressing the journalists after visiting the schools, said that these illegal schools are on government land and in such a situation, these schools are occupied by the Muslim mafia. This is a kind of land jihad. He said that a complaint has been filed with the Municipal Corporation Education Department against the way this school has been constructed and action will be taken against these illegal schools next week. Today, BMCM East Ward staff and education department officers were also present with Kret Soumya. Kret Soumya instructed the education department officer to find out how this illegal school was granted permission from the education department in this way. The concerned department has assured to take action against it. The building in which this school is operating is in a very dangerous condition. When Kret Soumya was asked if he is running a movement against Muslims, he said that his movement is against the land mafia and people with jihadist mindset. He said that the schools in which children are studying belong to the Muslim land mafia and any major accident can happen in it. In such a situation, who will be responsible for it? He also asked the education department about this, to which the education department officer said that a notice has been sent to the school administration in this regard, but no response has been received, after which an order has been issued for action in this regard by Monday and Saturday. In addition, Kret Soumya asked the BMC staff officers how the school was built here and then demanded action. In view of Kret Soumya’s visit, the police had made strict security arrangements. Tension had spread in the area in the wake of Kret Soumya’s visit. According to the BMC, 164 schools are illegal in the city and these are unsponsored schools. The highest number of illegal schools are in Govind (64) and Kurla (12), including four Marathi medium schools. Kret Soumya demanded action against the school, after which when he was asked what will happen to the future of these children if the school is closed, he said that the education department will transfer these children to other schools.