Man held with opium worth ₹37,815 in ANTF raid, two suppliers named

The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the CID Crime, Ahmedabad Zone, has arrested a 33-year-old labourer from Vastral for allegedly possessing prepared opium near Tanman crossroads in Odhav and seized narcotic substances and other items collectively valued at nearly ₹48,500, police said.

According to police, on May 14, the accused, identified as Praveenkumar Mangilal Purohit, was intercepted by ANTF officials near Raghuvilla Residency at Tanman char rasta following a tip-off received by the police earlier in the day.

Police said the ANTF team,  received specific information around 12.40 pm that a man wearing a white shirt and khaki trousers was moving towards Tanman crossroads carrying opium. 

Following which the police laid a trap near the junction and stopped the suspect while he was approaching from the Odhav side. During questioning, the accused allegedly identified himself as Praveenkumar Mangilal Purohit, a resident of Vastral.

During the search, police allegedly recovered a transparent plastic pouch containing a thick brown liquid-like substance suspected to be opium from the pocket of his trousers.

The accused was subsequently taken to the Odhav Ring Road police chowky for further proceedings due to heavy traffic and public movement at the spot. A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) officer later examined the substance and gave a preliminary opinion that the seized material was opium prohibited under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Police said the seized contraband weighed 75.63 grams and was valued at ₹37,815 and also seized  phone worth ₹10,000, a cash amount of ₹500.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed that he had procured the opium through one Sureshbhai Bishnoi of Isanpur, who in turn allegedly sourced it from Ishwarlal Thakariji Purohit of Ghodasar. Police claimed that ₹16,000 had been paid in cash for the narcotic substance.

An offence has been registered under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act against all three accused. While Praveenkumar Purohit has been arrested, the two alleged suppliers are currently at large.