Navi Mumbai: In a major late-night crackdown on illegal activities, the city police carried out an extensive combing operation in the Rabale Police Station jurisdiction on March 9. The drive, conducted as part of the department’s ongoing “Zero Tolerance” campaign against crime, resulted in the seizure of a country-made pistol, two live cartridges, and 100 sachets of brown sugar from a known history-sheeter. In total, 14 individuals were booked under various legal provisions during the operation.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-1) Pankaj Dahane. A large police force comprising four Police Inspectors, 16 Assistant Police Inspectors (APIs), and 184 personnel from seven police stations in Zone-1 took part in the coordinated action.

Senior Police Inspector Balkrishna Sawant reaffirmed the department’s firm approach, stating, “Our stance against illegal businesses is ‘Zero Tolerance.’ This campaign against drug peddling, gambling, and illegal weapons will continue relentlessly. Those attempting to disturb the peace of the city will not be spared.”

Police teams carried out searches and blockades across several sensitive locations, including Nocil Naka, Arjunwadi, Sainathwadi in Ghansoli, and the Rabale industrial area. During the operation, officers arrested a notorious criminal who was allegedly found in possession of an illegal firearm along with a significant quantity of narcotics. He has been booked under the Arms Act as well as the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act.

The combing drive also resulted in five cases related to drug consumption and one major case involving drug peddling. Authorities registered two cases against individuals selling banned gutkha, while another case was filed under the Prohibition Act.

Police also intensified traffic checks during the operation. A total of 229 vehicles were inspected, and action was taken against 92 motorists for violating traffic regulations.

Apart from street-level enforcement, the police teams raided 11 hotels and lodges to verify guest identities and detect suspicious activity. Officials also conducted checks to identify illegal foreign nationals, including suspected Bangladeshi and Nigerian residents in the area. Additionally, the police visited the homes of 22 known criminals to verify their records and presence.