Nagpur: Crime branch on Wednesday night intercepted a juvenile just an hour before he was set to turn 18 and celebrate the occasion.The timing of the raid denied investigators an opportunity for custodial interrogation in a case of MD seizure worth Rs7 lakh. After checking his Aadhaar card, the cops realised the boy was a minor. Police issued a notice under relevant provisions and handed him over to his parents after medical examination.The operation, conducted under the anti-narcotics Act at around 11 pm on Wednesday at a house near a nullah in Siraspeth under Imamwada police station limits, led to the recovery of 70 grams of mephedrone (MD) valued at Rs7 lakh, three mobile phones worth Rs95,000, a two-wheeler valued at Rs70,000 and Rs 6,000 cash, totalling approximately Rs 8.72 lakh.One accused, Lucky Manpiya (22), a resident of Siraspeth, was arrested on the spot. A second accused, Bobby Malik of Mahal under Kotwali police station, is absconding. The juvenile, whose date of birth is Aug 6, 2008, was found when preparations for his birthday were in full swing.Since the raid took place before midnight, the boy was still legally a minor. Officers noted that CCTV cameras and other evidence at the house clearly recorded their entry around 11 pm, leaving no ambiguity about the timing.“Had the operation been conducted even an hour later — after midnight on Aug 6 — he would have been a major and could have been taken into custody for detailed interrogation and further investigation,” said senior inspector Baburao Raut of crime branch, adding, “Backward linkages are still being worked out.”The case was registered at Imamwada police station. The adult accused underwent medical examination and was produced along with the seized material at the local police station.Investigators are focusing on tracing the source of MD and the role of the absconding accused. Parents of the juvenile are required to produce him for inquiry as directed, said an official.
