In a significant crackdown, the Nathavaram police in Andhra Pradesh's Anakapalle district have dismantled an international drug smuggling network, arresting eight individuals. Among those apprehended is a woman software engineer from Bengaluru, who has been described by authorities as a key operative or 'lady don' in the syndicate.
The Bust and the 'Lady Don'
Acting on specific intelligence, a police team led by Inspector of Narsipatnam rural police station and Sub-Inspector Y Tarakeswara Rao intercepted the gang near Srugavaram village. The operation resulted in the seizure of 74 kilograms of high-quality dry cannabis, along with a car, two motorcycles, and multiple mobile phones. The arrested woman has been identified as Gade Renuka (28), a software professional based in Bengaluru and a native of Santhakaviti in Vizianagaram district.
Police investigations revealed that Renuka, along with her associate Surya Kalidas, had rented a house in Narsipatnam specifically to facilitate their illegal operations. This location served as a hub for procuring cannabis from neighboring Odisha and then supplying it to destinations in Tamil Nadu and internationally to Sri Lanka. Her repeated involvement in the trade across multiple police limits earned her the 'lady don' moniker.
Modus Operandi and Network
The gang's operation was sophisticated and well-organized. Renuka had established a wide network, even hiring houses in major cities like Bengaluru and Coimbatore to expand her reach. She allegedly procured the cannabis, specifically the potent Sheelavathi strain, from tribal areas in Odisha's Balimela and Chitrakonda regions. A middleman named Adduri Prasad facilitated these purchases at a rate of approximately ₹5,000 per kilogram.
Once procured, drivers Madhan Kumar and Naga Muttu were tasked with transporting the consignments to the Rajanagaram highway junction. From this strategic point, the supplies were routed further to clients in Tamil Nadu. Police noted that the gang also engaged in retail sales, distributing cannabis in small packets across Tamil Nadu.
International Links and Significance
A crucial aspect of this bust is the international connection. Authorities stated that the gang leveraged Renuka's contacts with smugglers in Tamil Nadu to push consignments beyond Indian shores into Sri Lanka. The police highlighted that this case likely marks the first instance where ganja sourced from the Andhra-Odisha border area was being smuggled to Sri Lanka, indicating an expansion of the trade route.
The arrests underscore the evolving and cross-border nature of drug trafficking networks, which now involve individuals from professional backgrounds. The case remains under further investigation as police work to uncover the full extent of the syndicate's operations and its financial linkages.
