Rs 2.7 crore ganja stock seized: Bandlaguda police nab contraband travelling to Maharashtra

Hyderabad: Task Force police seized ganja weighing 908.41 kg valued at RS 2.7 crore in a joint operation with Bandlaguda police. Three people were arrested.

The racket was involved in transporting the narcotic from the remote forest areas of Malkangiri in Odisha to its destination in Maharashtra, using Hyderabad as a transit point.

Arrests and seizures

The arrested accused were identified as:

- Mohammed Kaleem Uddin alias Mohammed (32), a heavy vehicle driver and ganja transporter.

- Shaik Sohail alias Sohail (23), an AC Technician.

- Mohammed Afzal alias Abbu (25), an AC/Fridge technician and associate of the main transporter.

Modus Operandi uncovered

According to police interrogation, the accused were associates of the main transporter, Rahman (Kaleem Uddin’s brother), who is currently absconding. Rahman allegedly met suppliers Jithu of Odisha and Suresh of Srikakulam in June 2025.

They offered 5 lakh per trip to transport ganja to a receiver named Mahesh in Sanganmer, Nashik, Maharashtra, via Andhra, Telangana and Karnataka. The arrested associates were promised Rs 50,000 each per trip.

The gang’s strategy to evade detection involved an elaborate cover-up. On the night of October 16/17, the accused drove to Palasa Village, Srikakulam District, where they loaded the transport vehicle with HDPE bags containing cashew shells.

They then proceeded to a forest area near Malkangiri, Odisha, to collect bags of ganja from suppliers Suresh and Jithu. The ganja bags were meticulously concealed beneath the cashew shell load and covered with a tarpaulin.

The vehicle was driven back to Hyderabad and parked in an isolated spot in Patel Nagar, Amberpet, for two days before setting out for Nashik. The vehicle was successfully intercepted near the Palace Function Hall Main Road, Bandlaguda, on October 22.

Fugitives and ongoing investigation

The main transporter, Rahman, along with suppliers Jithu (Odisha) and Suresh (Srikakulam), and the receiver Mahesh (Maharashtra), are currently absconding. The Hyderabad City Police have stated that further investigation is underway to identify additional members of the syndicate and trace the entire supply chain.

Deputy Commissioner of Police S Chaitanya Kumar praised the proactive efforts of the South-East Zone Team and Bandlaguda Police for the successful interception, reiterating the commitment of the Hyderabad City Police to combat illegal drug activities.

The operation was conducted under the direct supervision of VC Sajjanar, commissioner of police, Hyderabad City. The police appealed to the public to cooperate in the sustained efforts to curb the drug menace in the community.