Number Of Cases Rise Only 14%
Nagpur: The latest data released by Nagpur City Police points to the enormity of the city’s fight against drugs. Between January and August 2026, the value of mephedrone (MD) seized by police rose by around 288% — from ₹2.66 crore to ₹10.32 crore — compared to the same period in 2025. The number of MD cases went up by only around 14%, from 64 to 73.The data reveals that though the number of cases detected has increased just marginally, each case is bringing in a much bigger MD haul. “The statistics point to police reaching closer to bigger suppliers and organised drug networks,” said DCP (crime) Deepak Aggarwal.Earlier this year, Jaripatka police, after a month of surveillance, seized nearly 7.5kg of MD powder worth several crores from a flat in Uppalwadi. Cops said it’s one of the biggest anti-drug operations in Nagpur this year.Cases involving ganja show a similar pattern. Cases rose by around 27%, from 56 to 71, but the value of ganja seized rose by almost 181%, from ₹3.34 lakh to ₹9.40 lakh.Overall, NDPS Act cases across the city rose by 38%, from 455 to 628, and the number of people arrested rose by around 31%, from 583 to 765. According to an official, Nagpur Crime Branch has widened its focus this year — moving beyond street-level peddlers to target suppliers, interstate networks and organised gangs behind the drug trade.The money involved also went up sharply. The total value of narcotics seized rose from ₹2.47 crore to ₹5.17 crore, an increase of almost 109%.The officials said narcotics worth almost ₹7 crore were seized between January and June 2026 under the police’s ‘Operation Thunder’ drive, compared to ₹1.94 crore in the same months of 2025 — a rise of nearly 257%.“Police have also used stronger laws this year. Fifteen cases have been registered under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), and four proposals have been sent under the PIT-NDPS Act,” an official stated.
