Taloja Prison Guard Arrested With Charas and Nitrazepam Tablets

A 24-year-old prison constable was arrested after jail authorities recovered charas and psychotropic tablets from his possession during a routine security check at Taloja Central Prison in Navi Mumbai. The incident occurred on June 22 at around 3:15 PM when the guard reported for his scheduled day shift.

The accused, identified as Aditya Dhanraj Shelar, was caught with the contraband concealed in the left pocket of his khaki uniform trousers. The search was conducted by officials before Shelar was allowed to enter the prison premises.

During the routine search, officials recovered 41.92 grams of charas, which has an estimated value of approximately ₹46,000. They also found 36 Nitrazepam tablets valued at ₹1,800. Police suspect that the seized contraband was intended to be supplied to inmates lodged inside the prison.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the charas was wrapped in five layers of black adhesive tape. The Nitrazepam tablets were packed in three strips, with each strip containing 12 tablets.

The case was registered against Shelar based on a complaint filed by 37-year-old jail havaldar Devendra Madhukar Solanki.

Following the complaint, police registered a case under multiple sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The charges include Section 8c, which prohibits the production, manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transport, consumption, or inter-state and international import and export of any narcotic drug.

Shelar also faces charges under Section 20(ii)(a), which penalizes the production, possession, sale, purchase, or transport of cannabis involving a small quantity, and Section 20(ii)(b), which deals with the illegal production, manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transport, or use of cannabis.

Following the registration of the case, Shelar was arrested in the early hours of June 23. He was subsequently produced before a court.