Hyderabad: Hyderabad Police busted an alleged inter-state ganja transportation racket and apprehended five persons with 38 kg of dry ganja worth about Rs 10 lakh.
The Special Crime Team of the Central Crime Station (CCS) conducted the operation on August 21. Gandhi Nagar Police coordinated with the CCS team during the action. Police said the accused allegedly transported the contraband from Araku in Visakhapatnam towards Mumbai through Hyderabad.
Investigators suspected that an unidentified source had recruited the five accused as carriers. The accused ranged in age from 36 to 78 years. Police suspected that the source used their age as a cover to avoid suspicion during transportation. Moreover, the carriers allegedly received commissions for each delivery.
Hyderabad ganja racket used separate bus journeys
According to police, the accused collected brown-coloured parcels containing ganja in Araku. They then allegedly concealed the parcels inside travel bags. Subsequently, the carriers travelled separately by buses to Hyderabad to reduce suspicion.
After reaching the city, they allegedly checked into different lodges instead of staying together. Police said the carriers later planned to board another bus for Mumbai. They were supposed to deliver the parcels at designated locations there.
Investigators said each carrier allegedly received between Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000 for completing a delivery. The Hyderabad ganja racket therefore involved multiple stages of travel and separate accommodation, according to police.
Officials were also examining the role of the unidentified source suspected of organising the transportation. Police apprehended all five accused and seized 38 kg of dry ganja during the operation.
Officials estimated the seized contraband’s value at around Rs 10 lakh. The CCS Crime Team carried out the operation with Gandhi Nagar Police. DCP, CCS, DD, Hyderabad, S. Chaitanya Kumar supervised the operation.
Police warned people against accepting money to transport narcotic substances for others. They said monetary consideration would not protect carriers from criminal liability for transporting illegal drugs.
Moreover, police warned that those involved in illegal possession, transportation, sale or distribution of ganja would face stringent legal action. Authorities said they would invoke provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act against those involved in such offences.
The Hyderabad ganja racket investigation also focused on the unidentified source who allegedly recruited the carriers and arranged the deliveries. Police maintained that individuals should reject offers to carry suspicious parcels or narcotic substances in exchange for commissions.