Nagpur Police Seizes ₹8.65 Crore in Illegal Drugs as Part of Operation Thunder

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In a significant crackdown on narcotics, the Nagpur City Police, led by Commissioner Dr. Ravinder Kumar Singal, has confiscated illegal drugs and contraband valued at ₹8.65 crore between March 1, 2024, and June 17, 2025. This operation, named Operation Thunder: Let’s Unite for a Drug-Free Society, is part of the broader ‘Drug-Free Nagpur’ mission aimed at combating drug abuse and trafficking in the city.

With a vision to foster a narcotics-free environment in Nagpur, the operation targets not only drug peddlers and possessors but also habitual users. Over this four-month period, a total of 730 individuals were apprehended, including those involved in the selling, storage, or consumption of banned substances.

The police filed 540 cases during this timeframe. Notably, MD (mephedrone) powder constituted the largest portion of the seizures, with 94 cases involving 5.94 kg of the synthetic drug valued at ₹6.81 crore. Ganja (marijuana) followed closely, with 100 cases involving 473.77 kg worth ₹1.66 crore. Other significant recoveries included 128.1 kg of doda (poppy husk), 1.548 kg of opium, and 1.75 kg of charas (hashish). Additionally, 399 drug-related cases were recorded, resulting in the detention of 344 users.

As part of Operation Thunder, the city police, alongside officers from Crime Branch units and local police stations, formed dedicated teams to review records of NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) offenders from 2020 to 2025. These teams tracked down suspects at their last known addresses, conducted house searches, and verified their whereabouts. Many accused individuals were found to be deceased, jailed, absconding, or had abandoned their homes, prompting the deployment of special teams for further tracing.

Arrested individuals were taken to the Crime Branch office, where their mobile phones were examined for links to other suspects. Their biometric data, fingerprints, and photographs were collected and updated in the ‘SIMBA’ crime tracking system, allowing law enforcement to quickly access their criminal history in case of future offenses.

In addition to seizures, the operation emphasizes community outreach programs aimed at raising awareness of the consequences of drug abuse. The Commissioner underscored that such actions are vital not only for reducing crime but also for enhancing the sense of safety among citizens.

Dr. Ravinder Kumar Singal reiterated that Operation Thunder will continue its aggressive efforts in the coming months and urged citizens to report any drug-related activities in their neighborhoods. The Nagpur Police remain committed to achieving a secure, drug-free city.