Major Drug Haul in Andhra Pradesh: Police Seize Contraband Worth Rs 2 Crore
In a significant crackdown on narcotics trafficking, the Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district police in Andhra Pradesh have seized a massive quantity of illegal drugs with an estimated street value of Rs 2 crore over the past two days. The operations resulted in the confiscation of approximately 340 kilograms of dry cannabis and 7 kilograms of hashish oil from various locations across the district.
First Operation: 308 Kg Cannabis Seizure Near Kotagunnalu Village
The largest single seizure occurred on Tuesday near Kotagunnalu village under the Annavaram police station limits in the Chintapalle subdivision. Acting on credible intelligence about ganja transportation via motorcycles, a special police team was deployed to intercept the smugglers.
According to Chintapalle sub-division ASP Navajyothi Mishra, police spotted six individuals transporting the contraband. While two suspects were apprehended at the scene, four others managed to escape upon noticing the police presence.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 308 kilograms of dry cannabis valued at approximately Rs 1.5 crore. Police also confiscated two motorcycles used for transportation and two mobile phones belonging to the arrested individuals. The contraband was being smuggled from Chitrakonda in Odisha's Malkangiri district into Andhra Pradesh, with intended distribution within ASR district before planned transportation to various cities.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Authorities have formed a special team to track down and arrest the four absconding suspects, with further investigation ongoing to uncover the complete interstate smuggling network.
Second Operation: 7 Kg Hashish Oil Intercepted Near Sileru
In a separate incident, ASR district police intercepted another smuggling attempt near Sileru under GK Veedhi mandal. Officers seized approximately 7 kilograms of hashish oil and arrested three individuals who were transporting the narcotic substance on a motorcycle.
Hashish oil, also known as hash oil, is a concentrated cannabis extract that contains high levels of THC and is classified as a narcotic drug under Indian law. The arrested suspects were identified as Balaraju and Veerayya from Andhra Pradesh, and Bikunu from Odisha.
Investigations revealed that this narcotic product was also being transported from Chitrakonda in Odisha to Sileru in Andhra Pradesh, indicating a consistent smuggling route between the two states.
Third Operation: 30 Kg Cannabis Seized Near Ananthagiri
Adding to the series of successful interdictions, police seized approximately 30 kilograms of dry cannabis and arrested three more individuals near Ananthagiri in the district. The suspects were transporting the cannabis in a car when intercepted by authorities.
All three cases are under active investigation as police work to identify and apprehend additional suspects connected to these smuggling operations. The coordinated efforts across multiple locations demonstrate the police's commitment to disrupting narcotics trafficking networks operating across state borders.
The total haul of 340 kilograms of dry cannabis and 7 kilograms of hashish oil represents one of the larger drug seizures in the region recently, highlighting both the scale of the smuggling operation and the effectiveness of police intelligence and interdiction efforts.
