Drive against sand mafia in Thane

In a drive against sand mafia, the district officials today seized illegally dredged sand and equipment valued at Rs 11.50 crore in total.
District collector Dr Ashwini Joshi told reporters that the drive started at about 7.30 pm last evening and continued till today afternoon.
Raids were carried out at various locations simultaneously. Boats, barges, suction pumps and cranes were seized.
More than 150 personnel from the revenue and police departments participated in the massive drive in which patrolling boats were also used, she said.
Additional collector Ashok Shingare who was also a part of the operation team said 3,221 brass sand was seized which was valued at Rs 1.13 crores, and those who mined it illegally will have to pay five times as much penalty.

Dr Joshi said the seized sand will be auctioned.