In one of the biggest anti-narcotics operations in recent years, Belagavi city police seized over 50 kg of ganja and arrested six persons, including the alleged mastermind who had been supplying drugs to the region for the past four years.
Police Commissioner Bhushan Gulabrao Borase, addressing reporters on Friday, said the operation was led by Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) Inspector B. R. Gaddekar, who had been monitoring the racket for several days.
Based on a tip-off, police intercepted two cars near Sulga village/Hindalga on the outskirts of Belagavi on Thursday evening. A total of 50.4 kg of cannabis was seized, along with three cars, one bike, 10 mobile phones, a weighing machine, ₹4,000 cash, and a machete.
The arrested include Ismail alias Saddam Babu Sayyad (35) of Kanagala, identified as the kingpin; his associate Tajir Gudusab Bastawade (29); and network members Ramzan Dastagir Jamadar (34), Prathamesh Dilip Lad (29), Tejas Bhimrao Vajare (21), and Shivkumar Balakrishna Asabe (28).
Investigations revealed that Saddam, operating from Mumbai, procured cannabis from the Madhya Pradesh–Maharashtra border and Odisha, and also supplied heroin sourced from Pune and Mumbai. Police said the syndicate had built a wide distribution chain in Belagavi, targeting local youth. One accused had routed transactions of nearly ₹39 lakh through his bank account, and investigators are now tracking money trails through bank statements and WhatsApp chats.
Police also noted that some local peddlers, inspired by films like Pushpa, attempted to bypass Saddam and source drugs directly. Meanwhile, habitual offender Salim Soudagar (48), who has 37 criminal cases against him, was recently arrested by Market Police in a related crackdown.
Calling it among the largest narcotics seizures in Belagavi, Commissioner Borase praised Inspector Gaddekar and his team, announcing that cash rewards and recommendations for state-level awards would be given to the officers involved.
