Two interstate traffickers held with over 1 kg MD drug in Ujjain

Times News NetworkUjjain: A routine night patrol by Ujjain police led to seizure of over one kg of mephedrone (MD) drug and arrest of two interstate traffickers who were planning to transport the contraband to Maharashtra, police said on Tuesday.The accused, identified as Pankaj Charde, 34, a resident of Nagpur and Amit Tiwari, 20, a native of Bihar, were arrested under the NDPS Act after police recovered 1.015 kg of MD drug with an estimated market value of around Rs 15 lakh.Addressing a press conference, SP Pradeep Sharma said that a police team on night patrol spotted a Maharashtra-registered car parked on the service road beneath the Garoth Road bridge in Chimanganj Mandi police station area on Monday night. The two occupants attempted to flee on seeing the police but were caught.During a search of the vehicle, police found a khaki-coloured box containing a light brown substance, which preliminary tests identified as mephedrone. The drugs and the car used to transport them were seized, and a case was registered.During interrogation, the accused allegedly revealed that they had procured the narcotics from Mandsaur district and were planning to transport it to Nagpur. According to police, the duo had halted in Ujjain to pick an associate when they were apprehended.Sharma said that Pankaj Charde has a criminal history and was wanted in six cases, including offences under the NDPS Act and attempt to murder, registered at various police stations in Nagpur.