Hyderabad: Julurupadu ganja seizure led to the busting of a major smuggling network after police seized 105.54 kg of cannabis during vehicle checks in Bhadradri Kothagudem district.
Police carried out the operation on Wednesday evening when Julurupadu police and CCS teams conducted joint inspections. Acting on credible information, they intercepted two cars and found contraband hidden inside.
DSP Adinarayana said the seized ganja was worth about Rs 52.77 lakh. He disclosed the details during a press conference held at the local police station on Thursday.
Officers stopped vehicles bearing registration numbers TS 11 ER 6312 and TS 07 JY 3959. During the search, they recovered 52 packets of ganja concealed in the cars.
Police detained three persons travelling in the vehicles. During questioning, the accused admitted that they procured the ganja from Kalimela and Donkarai areas in Andhra Pradesh.
Julurupadu ganja seizure reveals inter-state supply route
According to police, the accused planned to transport the ganja to Hyderabad via Bhadrachalam, Palvancha, and Kothagudem for sale. However, officers intercepted them before they could proceed further.
Police arrested Shivakar Pramod Kumar, 35, and Baireddy Bhargav, 30, both from Nalgonda district. They also arrested Andekar Srinivas, 40, from Vanasthalipuram in Rangareddy district.
Officers seized the contraband, two cars, and four mobile phones from the accused.
Meanwhile, three other suspects identified as Abi, Lakshman, and Farooq remained absconding. Police teams launched efforts to trace and arrest them.
DSP Adinarayana warned that strict action would continue against ganja smuggling. He said police were intensifying enforcement across the district.
He added that since January 2025, police registered 86 cases and seized 6,844 kg of ganja worth around Rs 34 crore. Authorities also invoked the PD Act against three accused and attached their properties.
Officials said more stringent action would follow against others involved in such activities.
CCS Inspector Ramakanth, SIs Praveen and Rama Rao, and Julurupadu SI Badavath Ravi took part in the operation. Senior officers appreciated the team for their swift action.