A high-level anti-drug awareness committee has been formed for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, with Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha being appointed to lead the panel. The six-member committee will include the Commissioner of Police, the collectors of Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban, along with two non-official members. The move has been taken at a time when stricter action against drug abuse and narcotics trafficking is being emphasised by the Centre.
The committee has been tasked with coordinating with multiple departments to prevent the cultivation of narcotic plants, as well as the production, transportation, trade, sale, and consumption of drugs. Awareness campaigns against drug abuse will also be carried out across the region. The formation of the panel is being seen as part of a wider effort to combine enforcement with public education.
Meanwhile, several major narcotics seizures have been reported in Maharashtra. In one operation, the Narcotics Control Bureau seized 702 kg of ganja worth around ₹3 crore after a truck was intercepted in Gondia. Two accused, identified as Prakash MD and Padamlal NM, were arrested. It was revealed that the consignment had been sourced from Odisha and was intended for drug syndicates operating in Nagpur, Gondia, Pune, and Mumbai. According to officials, the syndicates had allegedly joined hands to transport the drugs in one large consignment instead of separate shipments.
In another case, the Kalyan police arrested Amjad Pathan, a 47-year-old criminal who had earlier been externed from Mumbai and Thane. He was arrested in connection with the seizure of 9.7 kg of heroin worth ₹34.18 crore. Police said that Pathan was believed to be the kingpin of an interstate drug syndicate. After being externed, his narcotics base was allegedly shifted to Nashik. He reportedly has around 20 criminal cases against him, including murder.
Separately, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence busted an international cocaine smuggling syndicate at Mumbai Airport. Two African passengers arriving from Addis Ababa were intercepted on May 16. Officials said that both passengers admitted to having swallowed capsules containing narcotic substances. After court permission was obtained, they were admitted to a government hospital.
Over the next three days, 63 capsules containing cocaine were recovered from them. The total seizure weighed around 850 grams and was valued at approximately ₹4.25 crore in the international illicit market. The cocaine was recovered after medical procedures were carried out under supervision. The recent developments show that Maharashtra is facing both interstate and international drug trafficking challenges. While enforcement agencies are continuing seizures and arrests, the newly formed committee is expected to strengthen awareness and prevention efforts across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.