Nagpur cops go after origin, end users of drugs to bolster Operation Thunder
Nagpur: Deputy commissioner of police (crime) Rahul Maknikar announced that Nagpur police, following CP Ravinder Singal's vision of investigation, will rigorously pursue forward and backward linkages in narcotics cases to dismantle drug networks, marking a robust escalation in their anti-drug campaign, Operation Thunder.
Launched by CP Singal during International Anti-Narcotics Week (June 20–26), this initiative aims to eradicate the drug menace through strategic enforcement, asset seizures, and community engagement, ensuring a drug-free Nagpur.
"Our approach involves tracing the drug supply chain from its source to its distribution endpoints," Maknikar stated. "Backward linkages led us to Odisha's interiors, a primary source of ganja supplied to Nagpur, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Mumbai.
Forward linkages help us track receivers of intercepted consignments." This strategy yielded significant results, including the recent arrest of notorious drug lord Bulbul Pradhan in Odisha by Kalamna police, highlighting their commitment to disrupting interstate drug rackets.
Nagpur's geographic position as a nexus of north-south and east-west transit routes makes it a pivotal hub for narcotics trafficking.
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"We've seized ganja shipments destined for Delhi, Noida, and Punjab from Visakhapatnam and Odisha," Maknikar revealed. Beyond targeting major traffickers, the police are also addressing consumption. "Cases against addicts are less robust than those for peddling, but we're now applying anti-narcotics laws to deter usage," he added.
Operation Thunder extends beyond enforcement, integrating community involvement to tackle the root causes of drug abuse.
Maknikar pointed to societal pressures driving youth toward narcotics, such as peer influence, family neglect, and the glamorisation of hedonism in media. "The pub and bar culture, prevalent in Maharashtra's urban centres, is infiltrating rural areas and tribal settlements," he noted.
"We're cracking down on hookah parlours, which often serve as entry points to drug use."
The campaign underscores collective responsibility, calling on public servants, social reformers, and citizens to contribute.
"Families, schools, and colleges must raise awareness formally and informally," Maknikar urged. Maknikar advised parents to monitor their children's time and finances while allowing reasonable freedom. "The autonomy of affluent youth and the independence of middle-class children can lead to addiction if unchecked," he warned.
In alignment with Anti-Drug Day on June 26, Nagpur police are organising awareness drives alongside ongoing raids and property seizures targeting drug lords' assets.
Maknikar emphasised that public participation is vital for sustained success. "Enforcement alone isn't enough; without community support, our efforts may falter," he said. "We need widespread awareness to safeguard our youth and society," said Maknikar.
Commissioner Singal's vision for Operation Thunder combines legal action with societal reform, aiming to break the narcotics trade's backbone. As the campaign gains traction, Nagpur police remain steadfast in their mission, leveraging intelligence-driven operations and community collaboration to create a safer, drug-free city. Their relentless pursuit of traffickers, coupled with preventive measures, positions Nagpur as a model for combating drug abuse nationwide.
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