Cannabis farm busted in Washim: 15 kg marijuana seized, 70-year-old farmer held
Synopsis
A 70-year-old farmer in Maharashtra's Washim district was detained after a joint police-revenue team raided his field in Ratanwadi village and seized over 15 kg of marijuana worth ₹2,26,500. Investigators are now probing whether the illicit cultivation was part of a wider drug supply network.
Key Takeaways
Washim Police raided a farm in Ratanwadi village , Manora tehsil , on 3 November 2026 .
15 kg 225 grams of marijuana was recovered, with an estimated market value of ₹2,26,500 .
Narayan Kisan Vyavahare , a 70-year-old farmer, was detained in connection with the case.
The operation was a joint team led by SDPO Manish Thackeray , SHO Naina Pohekar , and Tehsildar Rajendra Patil .
Police are investigating the duration of the cultivation, intent to sell, and possible links to a wider drug network.
Police in Washim district, Maharashtra, dismantled an illegal cannabis cultivation operation on 3 November 2026, seizing 15 kg and 225 grams of marijuana from a farm in Ratanwadi village of Manora tehsil. A 70-year-old farmer, identified as Narayan Kisan Vyavahare, was detained in connection with the case. The contraband has been valued at an estimated ₹2,26,500 in the open market.
How the Operation Unfolded
Acting on a tip-off from an informer, local police immediately planned a targeted raid and assembled a joint team drawing personnel from both the police and revenue departments. The operation was led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Manish Thackeray, Station House Officer Naina Pohekar, and Tehsildar Rajendra Patil.
The joint team descended on the farm in Ratanwadi, where investigators discovered the cannabis plants growing on the agricultural land. The entire consignment — totalling 15 kg 225 grams — was recovered and seized on the spot, after which Vyavahare was taken into custody.
What Investigators Are Probing
Authorities have registered a case under relevant provisions of the law at Manora Police Station. Investigators are now working to determine how long the cultivation had been ongoing, whether the marijuana was intended for local sale or wider distribution, and whether any other individuals or organised networks were involved.
According to officials, the case has been registered on the basis of the detained farmer's statement, and the investigation remains active. Police said that a clearer picture of possible links to a larger drug supply chain would emerge as the probe progresses.
Significance and Context
The seizure is notable given the profile of the accused: at 70 years of age, Vyavahare is an atypical suspect in what is typically a younger-operator-led narcotics trade. Investigators have not yet publicly disclosed what may have motivated the cultivation. This comes amid Maharashtra Police's ongoing efforts to clamp down on illicit crop cultivation in rural districts, where agricultural land occasionally provides cover for narcotics farming away from urban surveillance.
Further details are expected to emerge as police complete forensic analysis of the recovered material and expand their questioning to any potential associates of the detained farmer.
Point of View
Which typically feature younger operators with cartel connections. Whether Vyavahare acted independently or was facilitating a wider network is the critical unanswered question; the answer will determine whether this is an isolated incident or evidence of a more organised rural supply chain. Maharashtra Police's use of joint police-revenue teams for such raids reflects a maturing operational model, but sustained impact will depend on whether intelligence leads are followed upstream, not just to the field.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the cannabis farm busted in Maharashtra?
The illegal cannabis farm was discovered in Ratanwadi village of Manora tehsil in Washim district, Maharashtra. Police raided the site on 3 November 2026 following a tip-off from an informer.
How much marijuana was seized in the Washim drug raid?
A total of 15 kg and 225 grams of marijuana was seized during the raid. The estimated market value of the recovered contraband is ₹2,26,500, according to police.
Who was arrested in connection with the Washim cannabis case?
Narayan Kisan Vyavahare, a 70-year-old farmer associated with the farm in Ratanwadi village, was detained by police. Investigators are examining his possible links to a wider drug network.
Who led the police operation in Washim?
The joint police-revenue team that conducted the raid was led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Manish Thackeray, Station House Officer Naina Pohekar, and Tehsildar Rajendra Patil.
What is being investigated in the Washim cannabis case?
Police are probing how long the cultivation had been ongoing, whether the marijuana was intended for sale, and whether other individuals or organised drug networks were involved. The case has been registered at Manora Police Station under relevant sections of the law.
