Nagpur Rural Police Pioneers Anti-Drug Detention in Maharashtra
In a groundbreaking move, Nagpur Rural police utilize new powers to detain a suspected drug kingpin under the PITNDPS Act.
Nagpur Rural police are the first in Maharashtra to use new detention powers under the PITNDPS Act.
The detained individual, Abhinesh Barme, is linked to multiple drug-related offenses.
This action follows a government resolution that expanded police authority for drug-related detentions.
In a significant development for Maharashtra's law enforcement, Nagpur Rural police have become the first in the state to exercise new preventive detention powers under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act. This follows a government resolution issued on September 4, which transferred the authority to issue detention orders from the principal secretary (Home) to the special inspector general of police (IGP). The police acted swiftly, detaining a 27-year-old man identified as Abhinesh alias Abhishek alias Anna Barme, who is believed to be a key figure in an organized drug trafficking network.
The detention order was issued on September 9 by Sandip Patil, the Special IGP of the Nagpur Range, based on a proposal prepared by Superintendent of Police Harssh A Poddar and Additional SP Anil Mhaske. The action was prompted by a case registered at the MIDC Butibori police station on April 3, where police seized approximately 1 kilogram of ganja, a country-made firearm, a mobile phone, a car, and cash, with the total value estimated at around Rs 5 lakh.
Barme has a troubling history, having been implicated in six NDPS cases since 2022 across various police stations, including Hudkeshwar and Gittikhadan. He has previously faced charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and has been externed for six months. Despite these preventive measures, law enforcement officials noted that Barme continued his illegal activities, prompting the need for further action.
The implications of this detention extend beyond the individual case, as it marks a pivotal shift in how Maharashtra's police can address drug-related crimes. By empowering local police units to initiate detention orders, the government aims to enhance the effectiveness of drug enforcement efforts and curb the growing narcotics issue in the region. This proactive approach is expected to bolster public safety and disrupt organized crime networks.
Looking ahead, the Nagpur Rural police are likely to continue utilizing their new powers to tackle drug trafficking more aggressively. As law enforcement agencies adapt to these changes, further developments in this case and others like it may emerge, reflecting the evolving landscape of drug enforcement in Maharashtra.
