Cops bust gang involved in arms’ smuggling, seize 4 pistols, 9 cartridges
   Date :18-Mar-2024

Cops bust gang involved  
 
 
 
 
Staff Reporter
 
 
 
A four-member gang engaged in smuggling and selling weapons has been busted by the Unit 4 team of Crime Branch. After arresting the gang members, the police seized four pistols and nine cartridges from their possession. The accused have been identified as Sikandar alias Sheku Saifuddin Khan (38) from Mecosabagh; Ankit Sunil Valmiki (23) from Bejanbagh; Sunny Ganesh Tomskar (22) from Borkar Nagar; Bara Signal, and Aditya Hemraj Padole (20) both from Kamana Nagar. Their associates, Mukul Samad from Belabagh Chowk, Jabalpur, and Aman Khorde from Betul, are on the run. According to police, Sikandar and Ankit already had cases registered against them under the Arms Act. Ankit hails from Madhya Pradesh, and Mukul is known to be his relative. Both Mukul and Aman are alleged to be involved in smuggling weapons, with Ankit acting as a conduit for distributing these weapons to various criminals in the city.
 
The police received information that Sikandar had requested two weapons from Ankit, who then arranged them through Mukul and Aman. A planned arms deal was scheduled for late Saturday night. The Unit 4 team of Crime Branch set up a trap near Mecosabagh, where the four accused arrived in an SUV and were arrested by the police. Upon searching the accused, two pistols were seized, and further investigation led to the recovery of two more pistols during a raid on the accused's residence. The total value of confiscated items, including the pistols, cartridges, vehicles, and mobile phones, amounts to Rs 13.39 lakh.
 
The accused were handed over to the Jaripatka police for further investigation and were presented before the court on Sunday. The court granted a five-day police custody for interrogation. The police anticipate that the capture of Mukul and Aman could lead to the discovery of more weapons. The successful operation was carried out under the guidance of DCP Detectoin Nimit Goyal, with the efforts of PSI Avinash Jaibhaye, staff Roshan Tiwari, Sunil Thawkar, Atul Chate, Deva Thombre, Chetan Patil, Satyendra Yadav, and Bante.