Hyderabad, Telangana: In a major breakthrough against narcotics smuggling, the Telangana Police and Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) seized 401 kilograms of ganja worth nearly Rs 2 crore. The contraband, ingeniously concealed under coconuts, was intercepted near Ramoji Film City in Pedda Amberpet on Wednesday.
Joint Operation Near Ramoji Film City
In a coordinated raid, the Rachakonda Narcotics Police Station and the Regional Narcotics Control Cell (RNCC), Khammam Wing stopped a DCM van on Vijayawada Highway. The ganja was being transported from Visakhapatnam to Rajasthan and was packed strategically under a load of coconuts to avoid detection.
Police arrested three Rajasthan residents — Chotu Narayana Lal Naik, Pushkar Raj Naik, and Kishan Lal Nayak. Meanwhile, three other accused — Sridhar, Ashu, and Parameshwar — are still absconding.
How the Smuggling Network Operated
Investigations revealed that Om Bishnoi, a known trafficker from Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, had earlier arranged ganja shipments from Sridhar in Rajahmundry. After Bishnoi’s arrest in Odisha, Chotu Naik took direct charge of the operation.
Naik struck a deal with Sridhar to purchase 400 kg of ganja at Rs 2,000 per kg, with plans to resell it in Rajasthan for Rs 4,000 per kg. He engaged his associates Pushkar Raj, Kishan Lal, and Parameshwar to execute the transport. The van carrying the ganja was driven by Kishan Lal while Naik and Pushkar followed in a car for security.
Seizure Details
The police seized:
- 401.467 kilograms of ganja
- A DCM van and a Hyundai car
- Five mobile phones used for coordination
A case has been registered under multiple sections of the NDPS Act at the Rachakonda Narcotics Police Station.
Crackdown on Drug Peddling
Officials confirmed that Telangana’s anti-drug unit is intensifying its vigilance against interstate narcotics smuggling. This seizure marks one of the biggest busts in recent months, sending a strong message to drug traffickers attempting to use Telangana’s highways as transit routes.