Mira Bhayandar: In a significant breakthrough, the crime branch unit (Zone I) of the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV) Police arrested a Nagpur-based gunrunner, Parmanand Naresh Mhatre, who was found to be in possession of illegal firearms in Kashimira on Wednesday. This arrest comes less than three days after the police had busted an interstate arms supply cartel.

Acting on a tip-off provided by Assistant Police Inspector (API) Prashant Gangurde, a team under Police Inspector Aviraj Kurhade raided the Hotel Western in Kashimira and apprehended Mhatre with four country-made pistols and eight live cartridges. The total value of the seized firearms and ammunition is estimated at more than ₹2.08 lakh.
Mhatre, a 27-year-old laborer from Nagpur, had checked into the hotel just hours before his arrest. The police revealed that the pistols were country-made, with barrel lengths measuring 15 cm and a bore of 1 cm. Authorities suspect Mhatre was only a carrier hired to transport the firearms, with investigations underway to trace the source of the weapons and identify potential buyers.

A senior police official mentioned, "The accused seems to be just a carrier who was apparently hired to deliver the arms. Investigations are on to ascertain the source of the firearms and its potential buyers."The MBVV Police have registered a case under the relevant sections of the Arms Act and Maharashtra Police Act at the Kashigaon police station. Mhatre has been remanded into custody for further investigation.

This latest arrest adds to a series of recent successful busts by the MBVV Police. In a prior operation, the police arrested eight individuals, including arms suppliers and buyers, from various states, seizing nine country-made pistols and 21 live cartridges worth ₹3.83 lakh.
The recent surge in weapons seizures ahead of the crucial state assembly elections, scheduled for November 20, has raised concerns among law enforcement agencies. However, the MBVV Police are on high alert, intensifying efforts to eliminate anti-social elements from the region in preparation for the upcoming elections.