PUNE: The Pune police crime branch has arrested a roadside dhaba owner from Karmala in Solapur district along with three accomplices for possessing marijuana worth Rs 20 lakh.According to police, the dhaba owner allegedly turned to the drug trade after finding it difficult to run his business when commercial LPG cylinders were scarce.A team led by senior inspector Santosh Sonawane and assistant inspector Madan Kamble, along with police constables Hrushikesh Takwane, Prashant Kapure and others, arrested the accused on Kesnand–Wadebolhai Road on March 13.They were identified as Bhiwa Kalidas Waghmode (36), his relative Vishnu Bhagwat Waghmode (28), Hari Shripati Dhawale (32), and Manoj Anil Surwase (29), all residents of Karmala in Solapur district.Police intercepted theircar and recovered 58.5kg of marijuana during the search.The following day, the police team conducted raids in Karmala and adjoining villages, seizing an additional 14kg of marijuana.Officials said the seized contraband was examined over two days and found to be of high quality. Crime branch officers said Waghmode resorted to marijuana trafficking after facing difficulties in procuring commercial LPG cylinders for his dhaba. He and his accomplices had allegedly come to Pune to sell the contraband.Police are also looking for another suspect who supplied the marijuana. Further probe is underway to determine whether any of the arrested individuals have prior criminal records.
