Pune: Two large abandoned water drums lying on a deserted patch of land in Maharashtra’s Baramati led investigators to uncover a massive interstate drug syndicate operating across multiple states.
What initially appeared to be a case involving unidentified containers soon turned into a major narcotics investigation exposing a marijuana trafficking network worth crores of rupees. Police said a total of 634 kilograms of marijuana was seized during the operation, with its estimated value in the illegal international market pegged at around ₹3.03 crore.
Secluded Farm Discovery and Container Extraction
According to investigators, the case surfaced on February 28 when a local farmer noticed two suspicious white plastic drums placed in a secluded area of Baramati. The drums, each with a capacity of nearly 1,500 litres, were secured with steel locks. After receiving information, police reached the spot and shifted the containers to the police station for inspection.
The drums were opened under CCTV surveillance and in the presence of a gazetted officer. Officers were shocked to discover 465 packets of marijuana wrapped in khaki paper and sealed with adhesive tape inside the containers. Police recovered 232 packets from the first drum and 233 from the second. The total seized quantity from the drums alone weighed nearly 479 kilograms and was estimated to be worth around ₹2.39 crore.
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Technical Surveillance and Multi-State Suspect Profiles
Initially, investigators had no clues regarding who had stored the consignment there or where it was supposed to be delivered. However, police activated local intelligence networks and technical surveillance to track suspicious activity in the area. During the investigation, two known suspects suddenly disappeared from the locality, further raising suspicion about their possible involvement.
Based on technical inputs and continuous monitoring, police arrested four accused on May 3. They were identified as Samadhan Gaikwad and Prakash Kate alias Pakya from Baramati, Princekumar Singh from Siwan in Bihar, and Rahul Gore from Beed district. Investigators later found that the consignment had been sourced from three suppliers identified as Vicky Kamble, Sangram Singh and Odisha-based Jockey Manjhi.
Interstate Trans-Shipments and Interceptions
Further investigation revealed that the suppliers were attempting to bring another consignment from Chhattisgarh. Police received information that the marijuana was being transported into Maharashtra through two separate vehicles. One of the vehicles was intercepted in Tasgaon area of Sangli district, where officers recovered 134 kilograms of marijuana. Vicky Kamble was arrested during the operation.
A few hours later, police traced the second vehicle and seized another 23 kilograms of marijuana. In this phase of the operation, Hussain Lashkare, Aditya Shinde and Yuvraj Durge were arrested. Investigators believe the syndicate had been operating for a long period and increased supply activities during festival seasons when demand for narcotics rises significantly.
Supply-Chain Cryptography and Tactical Raids
According to officials, the gang followed a highly organised smuggling pattern. Marijuana packets were concealed inside large water drums to avoid suspicion during storage and transportation. Isolated rural locations were allegedly used as temporary storage points before consignments were distributed to different regions.
Experts tracking cyber-enabled organised crime say drug trafficking networks are increasingly using encrypted communication channels, digital coordination and interstate logistics systems to evade law enforcement agencies. Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said organised criminal groups are no longer dependent only on traditional smuggling methods but are now operating through sophisticated coordination and supply-chain models spread across multiple states.
Police teams are currently conducting raids in several states to trace absconding accused Sangram Singh and Jockey Manjhi. Investigators suspect that the network may have links with larger narcotics supply modules operating in other parts of the country.
