Hyderabad police bust interstate ganja smuggling racket, seize 110 kg contraband
Hyderabad: The Commissioner’s Task Force, Shamshabad Zone, and Adibatla Police busted an interstate ganja smuggling racket and arrested four alleged drug peddlers. Police seized 110 kg of ganja, two cars and four mobile phones worth about ₹56 lakh during the operation.
The arrested accused were identified as Prashant Ganesh Pasalkar alias Nana, Rajesh Hanumant Londhe, Srihari Lima and Shahaji Gorak Changan alias Pappu. Police said two other accused, identified as alleged kingpin Pranav Singh and supplier Prabhitra Pradhan, remained absconding.
Interstate ganja smuggling racket transported drugs from Odisha
According to police, the alleged kingpin procured ganja from suppliers in Berhampur, Odisha, and supplied it to customers in Maharashtra for illegal profits.
Investigators said the accused travelled to Odisha around 10 to 12 days before the arrest. They allegedly collected the contraband from the supplier and began transporting it to Maharashtra through Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Police said the accused used a Tata Harrier as a pilot vehicle. The driver reportedly travelled about five kilometres ahead of the vehicle carrying the ganja to alert the others about police check-posts.
Investigators also alleged that the accused used internet-based calls to avoid surveillance. They further claimed the group replaced the Ertiga’s original registration plate with a fake Maharashtra registration number while crossing toll plazas.
Interstate ganja smuggling racket intercepted near ORR
Acting on specific information, the Shamshabad Zone Task Force intercepted both vehicles near the Bongulur ORR Gate Junction under the Adibatla Police Station limits. Officers arrested the four accused and seized the contraband.
Police alleged that the accused purchased ganja in Odisha for about ₹4,000 per kilogram and intended to sell it in Maharashtra at a much higher price for illegal profits.
The Task Force handed over the accused and the seized property to Adibatla Police for further investigation. Police registered a case under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act and launched efforts to trace the two absconding accused.
The Hyderabad Police also appealed to parents and the public to remain vigilant against drug abuse and report narcotics-related activities to help create a drug-free city.