Four arrested in Thane police's drive against sand mafia

District rural police today carried out a major drive against the illegal sand mining in Vasai area, seized sand and equipment worth Rs 1.30 crore, and arrested four persons.

Sub-divisional Police Officer Srinivas Ghatge said that police and revenue department officials took part in the raids.

The team seized 22,000 brass of sand, 8 boats, 6 suction pumps during the raids at Khanivade, Vaitarna, Chandip, Khardi, Doliv, Shirgaon, Usgaon and Kashid Kopar.

The value of sand seized was Rs 90 lakh, while the boats and suction pumps were valued at around Rs 39 lakh, he said.

Offences have been registered at Arnala police station under section 379 (theft) of Indian Penal Code.