Car with 16.4 kg ganja en route to Maharashtra crashes on NH-65; driver held

Hyderabad: A ganja smuggler’s attempt to transport contraband ended abruptly when his car crashed into a road divider at Bata Singaram on National Highway 65. Police seized 16.4 kg of ganja from the vehicle and arrested the accused.

Crash raises suspicion

The accident occurred near Nirmala Service Station, when a Swift Dzire travelling from Andhra Pradesh towards Maharashtra rammed into the central median.

Motorists alerted the Abdullapurmet police patrol team, who rushed to the spot. On arrival, police noticed the driver trying to flee on foot. He was identified as Bhukya Madhu (33), a resident of Kalvagattu in Khammam.

Contraband seized

“While checking the damaged car, our team sensed a strong odour of ganja. On inspection, we recovered two plastic bags containing 16.4 kg of ganja, in the presence of mediators,” Abdullapurmet inspector V Ashok Reddy said. The vehicle and the accused’s mobile phone were also seized.

How the smuggling trail is enforced

During interrogation, Madhu revealed that he was transporting the consignment from Rajahmundry to Nagpur on the instructions of his associate, Sadib, from Khammam.

Investigators said Madhu collected Rs 50,000 in advance from Sadib on August 13, out of which he paid Rs 45,000 to a supplier at Gokavaram near Rajahmundry before beginning his journey.

He started towards Nagpur on August 14, halted overnight at his native place in Garla, Mahabubabad district, and resumed travel on August 15. The accident at Bata Singaram led to his arrest.

Court remand

Police booked the accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. He was produced before a local court and remanded to judicial custody.