MUMBAI: The Kalamboli police probing a red-sanders smuggling case registered last month, have zeroed in on a constable for allegedly conspiring with the smugglers and abetting in the crime along with four accused persons.
Police inspector (crime) S K Avachat said, “Constable Sanjay Baburao Nandgaokar (50) was arrested on May 19 after we gathered sufficient evidence like call records and text messages showing conversations with the accused smugglers. Besides, we had witnesses for the meetings that the constable had with the accused,” said Avachat.
The constable had been initially remanded in police custody for five days after which he was sent to judicial custody, said Avachat, adding that the constable is now lodged at Taloja jail.
On April 6, a container loaded with 7.5 tonnes of smuggled red sanders had arrived from Tamil Nadu and delivered at a godown in Kalamboli steel market.
While, two of the accused persons — Anant Shelar and Ambar Mukti — were arrested immediately by Customs officials, two others — Hardeep Gill and Sheetal Jain — were held in May followed by the constable’s arrest.
The contraband had been sent from Tamil Nadu by a man identified only as Prabhakaran who is still at large.
The five accused, including constable Nandgaokar, had tried to export the red-sanders but Customs officials busted the racket.
