Odisha-to-UP drug route busted in Telangana; Rs 4 crore worth ganja seized near Shamshabad

Hyderabad: As much as 847 kg of ganja worth over Rs 4.2 crore was seized in a joint operation by the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) and RNCC Khammam.

Two habitual offenders were arrested during the operation near Shamshabad, exposing a well-organised interstate drug network running from Odisha to Uttar Pradesh via Telangana and Karnataka.

Reports about a vehicle bound from Odisha

The crackdown was launched based on a tip-off received on August 4, alerting authorities about an UP-registered Mahindra Bolero carrying a massive consignment of ganja from Odisha. The vehicle was expected to pass through Thondapalli village on the Bangalore National Highway between 3 pm and 6 pm.

Acting swiftly, a joint surveillance team from EAGLE’s Cyberabad Narcotic Police Station and RNCC Khammam was deployed by 1 pm, equipped with documentation tools, weighing machines and seizure kits.

At around 5 pm, the team intercepted the suspect vehicle opposite Jama Masjid on Shamshabad Road, leading to the arrest of two individuals.

Arrested accused with a drug history

The arrested individuals were identified as Khilla Dhana (29) from Malkangiri, Odisha, previously arrested in 2019 for smuggling 20 kg of ganja. He is suspected of executing multiple large-scale deliveries to Uttar Pradesh this year, including consignments of 350 kg, 500 kg and 600 kg.

Another arrested was Rajendar Bajing (26), also from Malkangiri. He was previously arrested in 2023 for transporting 150 kg of ganja. He played the role of co-driver and is known for navigating alternative rural routes to evade detection.

Both men are out on bail in previous narcotics cases and were actively involved in the current operation.

Network structure and operations

Investigations revealed a highly organised trafficking chain. The syndicate was coordinated by Ramesh Sukri (absconding), who sourced ganja from local cultivators, Shibo alias Shiba and Basu, in remote forest areas of Odisha.

Their main buyer, Shaffiq alias Shafi from Uttar Pradesh, financed the operation, arranged vehicles with UP registration, and handled payments through untraceable courier networks and layered financial transactions.

Ten days prior to the bust, Shaffiq travelled to Rajahmundry to hand over the Bolero vehicle directly to Ramesh, instructing him to load 800 kg of ganja and ensure delivery to UP via Shamshabad.

Packaging, transport and evasion tactics

To avoid detection, the gang employed meticulous packing methods. The ganja was moved in small batches from interior forests to village outskirts and then repacked into HDPE bags containing brown-tape-wrapped packets to mask the odour.

The Bolero was loaded with 26 such bags (411 packets). The route included Bangalore NH and ORR bypasses to sidestep checkpoints. Communications were restricted to basic phones with fresh SIMs, discarded after each trip.

For self-protection, Khilla Dhana carried a 23-inch sword (Talwar) hidden among the bags.

The following items were seized during the raid, including 847 kg of ganja, a Mahindra Bolero pick-up, two mobile phones and one sword (Talwar). All items were photographed, weighed, videographed, and sealed in the presence of mediators, in accordance with NDPS Act procedures.

A case was registered under Crime No. 07/2025 at Cyberabad Narcotic Police Station under the following provisions: Sections 8(c), 20(b)(ii)(C), 27A, and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 and Section 25 (1-B)(b) of the Arms Act.

The investigation is ongoing, and teams have launched manhunts for absconding suspects Ramesh Sukri, Jagadish Kuldeep, Shibo alias Shiba, Basu and Shaffiq alias Shafi.

Major drug corridor disrupted

Officials said the operation has disrupted a major supply corridor feeding ganja to North India. Financial investigations and property attachment procedures will be initiated under the NDPS and BNSS Acts.

This case also marks a significant operational success for EAGLE, Telangana’s new anti-narcotics task force formed by restructuring the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB).

With enhanced capabilities in interstate coordination, financial tracking, digital forensics, and quick strike response, EAGLE aims to make Telangana a drug-free State.

Public advisory

Authorities have urged citizens to report suspicious drug-related activities. Helpline: 1908, and all informant identities will be kept strictly confidential.