Tirupati: Ganja smuggling gang; 20 held, ganja worth Rs 9L seized

Tirupati: A major gang involved in supplying ganja in Tirupati district was busted and 20 persons, including three women, were arrested on 3 April. The police seized 22 kg of ganja worth Rs. 9,00,000 during a special operation at Srikalahasti-Buchinaidu Kandriga road.

According to district SP P. Parameswara Reddy, ganja is being brought into the district, mainly by laborers from north India. To find the suppliers, the police formed special teams under the leadership of SEB additional SP Rajendra and L&O additional SP Kulasekhar.

The main accused, Nagendra from Rapuru mandal in Nellore district, worked as a driver in Tirupati for about eight years. During the time, he met many people. He was earlier arrested in red sanders smuggling case under Thottambedu police station limits.

He later made contacts with many people in Srikalahasti, Venkatagiri, Renigunta, Chittoor, Tirupati Town, Chennai, and Kolar in Karnataka and entered into an agreement to supply ganja to them. He procured large quantities of ganja from Visakhapatnam and other places. He used to travel in a bus, so as not to raise any suspicion, along with the other accused.

Nagendra was supplying ganja to Chennai and Kerala. Those who were transporting ganja to these states were also arrested.

Measures to stop ganja trade, use

“Tirupati is a spiritual city and we are taking strict measures to prevent ganja trade. Youth and students were counselled about the side effects of using marijuana and drugs. Also, committees have been set up to prevent the use of drugs in colleges and schools. By doing this, we can curb cannabis use to some extent. It is the responsibility of the college management and parents to monitor the behaviour of their children,” said the SP.

In this case, a PD Act was opened against eight people who were involved in smuggling. They are already accused in many cases. The SP said, if necessary, they will also be expelled from the district. Strict action will be taken against anyone who smuggles, buys, and uses ganja, he added.

“Anyone who wants to give information about marijuana smuggling and sellers can call 14500 or dial 100. Their details will be kept confidential,” the SP added.

Recent case in Tirupati

A few days ago, a person was found selling ganja atop Tirumala hills in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthnam. Upon receiving information, TTD vigilance personnel conducted searches and caught a person hiding ganja packets on his body. The incident raised several questions on the security aspects at Tirumala.

A video went viral on social media showing a man who had tied ganja packets to his legs. There were around 10 ganja packets. The accused was a contract employee of Lakshmi Srinivasam Corporation and worked at the Vykuntam Q complex in Tirumala.

According to TTD, the vigilance wing officials arrested the man, Gangadharam, and seized small ganja packets weighing about 125 grams from him. A case was registered in Tirumala.