Major Drug Bust in Bapatla District: Police Seize 198 Kg of Ganja
In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the Marturu police of Bapatla district made a substantial seizure on Friday, confiscating 99 packets of ganja, each weighing 2 kg, totaling 198 kg. The operation led to the arrest of two individuals involved in the smuggling operation, marking a crucial victory in the fight against narcotics in the region.
Details of the Seizure and Arrests
The police action resulted in the confiscation of the contraband, along with two mobile phones and a Bolero mini truck that was allegedly used for transporting the illegal substance. According to authorities, the seized ganja has an estimated market value of approximately Rs 25 lakh, highlighting the scale of this illicit trade.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Manjunath Eerappa, aged 32, and Karthik Hanur Rajappa, aged 19, both hailing from Chamrajnagar district in Karnataka. Eerappa was employed as a halting driver, while Hanur worked as a construction labourer, shedding light on the backgrounds of those involved in such criminal activities.
Police Operation and Investigation
At a media briefing held at the Bapatla district police office, Superintendent of Police B Umamaheswara Rao provided detailed insights into the case. Acting on a credible tip-off, the Marturu police, under the leadership of Circle Inspector Y Sreenivas Rao, conducted thorough vehicle checks at the Bollapalli toll plaza on Friday.
During these checks, authorities intercepted a Bolero mini truck that was en route to Bangalore from Tuni in Kakinada district. Upon inspection, the police discovered the ganja concealed in 99 packets. The contraband and the vehicle were officially confiscated around 10:00 am at the toll plaza, effectively disrupting the smuggling attempt.
Background of the Accused and Modus Operandi
SP Rao elaborated on the sequence of events leading to the arrest. He revealed that approximately six months ago, Eerappa had met a person from Tamil Nadu who resides just 5 km away from his home. Following instructions from this contact, Eerappa and Karthik drove a vehicle to Tuni on January 27.
In Tuni, they met another individual who loaded the truck with the ganja packets. The two accused then began their return journey to Bengaluru from Tuni on the night of January 29. However, their plans were thwarted when the Marturu police intercepted and seized their vehicle, leading to their arrest.
Legal Actions and Ongoing Probe
A formal case has been registered against the accused under sections 20(b)(ii)(c) r/w 8(c) of the NDPS Act-1985 at the Marturu police station. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act is a stringent law designed to combat drug abuse and trafficking in India, and its invocation in this case underscores the seriousness of the offense.
The investigation is currently underway, with police officials working to uncover further details about the smuggling network and any potential accomplices. This bust serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to curb the illegal drug trade and maintain public safety.
