Vashi: In a significant action under the ‘Zero Tolerance’ anti-narcotics drive led by Commissioner Milind Bharambe, the Vashi Police intercepted a vehicle on the Sion-Panvel Highway and seized over 10 kg of ganja valued at Rs 17.96 lakh. A 17-year-old minor was apprehended during the operation, while the main accused, identified as 22-year-old Akshay, managed to escape under the cover of darkness.

The incident took place on the night of March 19 around 8:30 PM, when a Crime Detection Team from Vashi Police Station was patrolling the Mumbai-bound lane. Near a roadside stall after the Vashi Plaza bridge, officers noticed a suspicious Maruti T-permit car parked along the highway.

As the police approached, one of the occupants suddenly fled from the front seat and disappeared into the dark. However, the team acted swiftly and detained the juvenile found inside the vehicle.

During the search, officers recovered a purple bag from the rear seat containing 10 packets wrapped in tape. The seized Ganja weighed approximately 10.130 kg and was estimated at Rs 12.66 lakh. Additional items recovered included the car worth Rs 5 lakh and two mobile phones, bringing the total seizure value to Rs 17.96 lakh.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 at Vashi Police Station. Authorities have launched a manhunt to trace the absconding accused.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of senior officers, including DCP Pankaj Dahane and ACP Adinath Budhwant, along with the Vashi Police team led by Senior PI Jahangir Mulani and other personnel.