Hyderabad: The Telangana EAGLE Force arrested five persons and busted an interstate ganja racket after a 60-day operation. The operation involved the Special Task Force (STF) and Choutuppal Police.
Police identified Bhaskar Hazarika, 31, a native of Assam, as the alleged kingpin. Officers seized 24.7 kg of ganja and seven mobile phones from the accused.
Meanwhile, police registered a case at the Cyberabad Narcotics Police Station. Investigators are examining the alleged trafficking network and its financial transactions.
According to police, Bhaskar arrived in Hyderabad in 2014 seeking employment. He initially worked as a security guard and later as a food delivery executive.
However, investigators alleged that he entered the ganja trade in 2020. He reportedly procured the contraband from Odisha and gradually expanded his operations.
Police said Bhaskar faced arrests in three narcotics cases registered in Madhapur and Gachibowli during 2024. Despite securing bail, he allegedly continued the illegal business.
He subsequently brought associates from Assam to expand the network. Investigators said he operated a footpath hotel near IKEA as a cover for his alleged activities.
Police identified Odisha-based suppliers Ashish Kumar Baliarsingh and Debasis Nayak, alias Pinku Nayak, as the alleged sources. Bhaskar reportedly placed orders through WhatsApp and purchased ganja at ₹12,000–₹15,000 per kg.
The gang allegedly divided each kilogram into approximately 150 small packets. Members reportedly sold each packet for ₹300, generating around ₹45,000–₹50,000 per kilogram.
EAGLE Force ganja racket involved transactions exceeding ₹1.8 crore
According to police estimates, the gang sold approximately 400 kg of ganja over 10 months. Investigators estimated that the illegal trade generated business worth more than ₹1.8 crore.
Bank records reportedly showed that ₹48 lakh reached Ashish Kumar through 88 separate instalments. Police are investigating the financial transactions linked to the alleged network.
The investigation began after Choutuppal Police apprehended Trilochan Samantaray and Sagar Bal on August 27. Officers seized 20.36 kg of ganja from them during the operation.
During interrogation, the two allegedly disclosed Bhaskar’s role as the racket’s main operator. Subsequently, investigators began tracing Bhaskar, who had remained absconding.
Police received information that two couriers from Assam had arrived at Bhaskar’s residence in New Hafeezpet. They allegedly planned to deliver ganja at the location.
Acting on the tip-off, EAGLE Force conducted a surprise raid and arrested all five accused. The arrested persons included the alleged kingpin and four associates.
The police identified the arrested persons as:
1. Bhaskar Hazarika (31) – Alleged kingpin.
2. Babu Bora (37) – Rapido driver and courier.
3. Nirmal Hazarika (26) – Private employee and courier.
4. Pranjal Dutta (25) – Uber driver.
5. Akan Rajbanshi (34) – Gang member.
Further investigation is underway to establish the full extent of the alleged trafficking operation.