Pistols and live cartridge seized

The Anti-Human Trafficking Cell (AHCC) arrested three individuals attempting to sell country-made pistols and live cartridges in the Nere area of Panvel late Sunday night. The operation led to the seizure of two pistols, one live cartridge, a Maruti Swift car, and a Yamaha motorcycle. A fourth suspect managed to escape with five live cartridges, and efforts are underway to track him down.

Acting on a tip-off, the AHCC learned that a group of men in Nere were trying to sell firearms for ₹5 lakh. Under the guidance of Deputy Commissioners of Police Ajaykumar Landge and Dharmapal Bansode of the Crime Branch, and Senior Police Inspector Prithviraj Ghorpade, a team led by Assistant Police Inspector Alka Patil set up a sting operation.

The officers, posing as buyers, arranged to meet the suspects near Hotel New Royal Cafe and Mutton Shop in Nere around 8 pm on Sunday. By 8:30 pm, two suspects, Kishore Dutta Dhadi (24) and Rishikesh Raghunath Lote (25), arrived in a Maruti Swift car, while Yashwant Baban Satre (24) and Arjun Jadhav arrived on a Yamaha motorcycle.

Once the suspects accepted the ₹5 lakh from the undercover officers, the AHCC team raided the location. During the commotion, Arjun Jadhav managed to escape with five live cartridges. The remaining three suspects were detained, and a search revealed two country-made pistols valued at ₹1.2 lakh and one live cartridge in their possession.

Both the car and motorcycle used by the accused were seized as part of the operation. A case has been registered against the suspects under the Indian Arms Act at Panvel Taluka Police Station. The trio has been remanded in police custody until December 18, while further investigations are underway to determine the origin of the firearms and the whereabouts of the absconding accomplice.