Hyderabad, Telangana: In a major drug bust, excise officials seized a staggering 30 kg of raw ganja and apprehended nine inter-state drug peddlers at Abdullapurmet on the Vijayawada national highway early Thursday morning.
The operation unfolded during a series of surprise route checks targeting vehicles entering the city from neighboring Andhra Pradesh. Over 12 buses and 15 trucks were intercepted based on a tip-off, leading to the discovery of the illicit cargo.
Methodical Hunt: Officials meticulously combed through the buses, uncovering the hidden ganja stashed in six separate vehicles. The peddlers, acting as delivery boys, were apprehended and are currently under interrogation.
Interstate Network: Investigations revealed that the nine peddlers hailed from diverse states – Odisha, Maharashtra, and Delhi – and were planning to transport the contraband to their respective destinations. Each peddler reportedly charged between Rs 5,000 and Rs 8,000 per trip for delivery to key suppliers in various states.
Unveiling the Source: Authorities are utilizing the peddlers’ mobile phones to identify and track down their anonymous contacts, with local police assistance. Initial inquiries indicate that the ganja originated from various suppliers in Andhra Pradesh, including Palasa, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Narsipatnam, and the Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) agency areas.
Determined Action: Excise SP Ravinder Rao of the Saroornagar zone emphasized the ongoing commitment to eradicating drug trafficking. He confirmed that routine checks will be conducted daily, echoing Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s call to eliminate the drug menace from the state.
This successful operation underscores the vigilance of the excise department in tackling inter-state drug trafficking networks. Further investigations promise to unravel the larger syndicate behind this illicit activity and bring the remaining perpetrators to justice.