NAGPUR: As the modus operandi to deliver the drugs was changed, the Maharashtra government would be bringing the courier delivery companies under its purview. It was informed by home minister Devendra Fadnavis who declared that such companies would be equally held equally liable if the narcotics substances are found in the packets delivered by them.
Replying to a starred query by Jitendra Awhad, Jaant Patil, Rohit Pawar and others, the Southwest Nagpur MLA said the government had started a crackdown against the police who are conniving with the drug peddlers in drug delivery.
“In last year or so, we have seized Rs 50,000 crore drugs in various raids. There have been cases of narcotics coming through couriers. These companies have also been told to follow certain procedures to check such instances. If any suspicious packet is found, instructions have been given to verify it and report it to the police.”
On involvement of police in such crimes, Fadnavis said they had dismissed ten police so far under Section 311 that included an assistant superintendent. “Four of them were related to drug peddler Lalit Patil’s case. We have also suspended a dean (of the BJ Government Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital) for keeping Patil for a long time in the hospital and are investigating the criminal angle.”
Stressing on the need for a special law to attach the properties of drug peddlers, Fadnavis also announced that the government was in talks with NGOs like those operated by Tatas or Birlas to set up de-addiction centres in all districts to treat the addicts. “The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) is already constituted to combat ever increasing drug menace and all districts would have a unit of this force at the respective police stations. It will act against drug peddlers and smugglers. An anti-narcotics committee has been formed at each district level under the chairmanship of the collector.”
Adding that the government was keeping an eye on the closed factories, the deputy CM said it was noticed that drugs were being manufactured in the closed factories. “Action is being taken if such instances are found. We are also monitoring the import of chemicals as drugs are being manufactured based on chemicals. In narcotics crime, earlier investigations were limited to the investigation of drug suppliers (peddlers) and cases were closed. Now, we are going to the roots and nabbing the kingpin. The central government would be amending the existing law and if necessary. We will also try to make a separate law in the state as well,” he said.
Replying to a starred query by Jitendra Awhad, Jaant Patil, Rohit Pawar and others, the Southwest Nagpur MLA said the government had started a crackdown against the police who are conniving with the drug peddlers in drug delivery.
“In last year or so, we have seized Rs 50,000 crore drugs in various raids. There have been cases of narcotics coming through couriers. These companies have also been told to follow certain procedures to check such instances. If any suspicious packet is found, instructions have been given to verify it and report it to the police.”
On involvement of police in such crimes, Fadnavis said they had dismissed ten police so far under Section 311 that included an assistant superintendent. “Four of them were related to drug peddler Lalit Patil’s case. We have also suspended a dean (of the BJ Government Medical College and Sassoon General Hospital) for keeping Patil for a long time in the hospital and are investigating the criminal angle.”
Stressing on the need for a special law to attach the properties of drug peddlers, Fadnavis also announced that the government was in talks with NGOs like those operated by Tatas or Birlas to set up de-addiction centres in all districts to treat the addicts. “The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) is already constituted to combat ever increasing drug menace and all districts would have a unit of this force at the respective police stations. It will act against drug peddlers and smugglers. An anti-narcotics committee has been formed at each district level under the chairmanship of the collector.”
Adding that the government was keeping an eye on the closed factories, the deputy CM said it was noticed that drugs were being manufactured in the closed factories. “Action is being taken if such instances are found. We are also monitoring the import of chemicals as drugs are being manufactured based on chemicals. In narcotics crime, earlier investigations were limited to the investigation of drug suppliers (peddlers) and cases were closed. Now, we are going to the roots and nabbing the kingpin. The central government would be amending the existing law and if necessary. We will also try to make a separate law in the state as well,” he said.
