577 held in Mumbai during week-long drive against drug peddlers

The accused have been booked under section 27 of NDPS Act, as they were found possessing drugs such as charas and ganja in small quantity. This can get them up to six months' imprisonment or fine or both to the accused.  

The drive began on February 18, two days after Rakesh Maria took charge as Mumbai Police Commissioner. Maria had said that the crackdown on drug peddlers and addicts was one of his top priorities.

Following the gangrape of a photojournalist at Mahalaxmi's Shakti Mill on August 22 last year, the police had carried out a similar drive and arrested at least 400 drug addicts.

After the assault of an American national in a local train on August 18 last year, the GRP had also rounded up at least 150 addicts.