The alleged drug trade in the Ranjangaon industrial belt has come under renewed scrutiny after the Local Crime Branch has seized drugs worth approximately Rs 22 lakh from the Malthan area on August 18.
The seizure has triggered concern among residents of Ranjangaon, Karegaon and Malthan, who have claim that drug-related activity has been a growing topic of discussion in the area for several months.
According to police, the operation was followed by an information that two persons were expected to arrive in Malthan to sell drugs. Acting on the tip-off, the Local Crime Branch carried out an operation and seized the suspected contraband.
As the action has been taken, residents have questioned whether the accused had been operating in the area for some time and, if so, why the activity was not detected earlier.
Ranjangaon MIDC is a major industrial hub in Shirur taluka and has attracted a large migrant workforce employed across several industries. Residential pockets around the industrial area have also expanded over the years.
Residents are now demanding that the investigation go beyond those caught during the Malthan operation. They want the police to know the source of the drugs, identify those who are supplying them and determine whether there are local distributors involved.
Locals have also asked for increased police patrolling, surveillance of locations suspected of being used for drug-related activities and more frequent checks based on confidential intelligence.
The Rs 22 lakh seizure has intensified calls for authorities to examine whether it represents an isolated incident or points to a wider supply network operating in and around the industrial belt.