Warangal Commissionerate police have arrested an alleged inter-State ganja smuggler and recovered 251 kg of ganja estimated to be worth around Rs 1.25 crore from his residence in Hanamkonda district.
The arrest was made by the Damera police, following information about the alleged movement and distribution of narcotic substances. Police said the accused had been operating a network through which ganja was sourced from Odisha and supplied to buyers in several States.
Accused identified
Police identified the arrested accused as Mudigonda Nageshwar Rao, a resident of Pulukurthy village in Damera mandal of Hanamkonda district.
Warangal Commissioner of Police N. Swetha disclosed the details of the operation to the media on Tuesday. The arrest was carried out under the supervision of East Zone DCP Ankit Kumar, with personnel from Damera and other police units taking part in the operation.
According to the police, preliminary questioning of Nageshwar Rao helped investigators obtain information about the alleged supply chain and people connected with the operation.
251 kg of ganja seized
During a search of the accused’s residence, police recovered 251 kg of ganja. The seized contraband has been valued at approximately Rs 1.25 crore.
Apart from the narcotic substance, police also seized a two-wheeler and Rs 9,000 in cash, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle.
The seizure is being viewed by police as a significant breakthrough because of the quantity involved and the alleged inter-State connections of the accused.
Ganja allegedly sourced from Odisha
Police said their preliminary investigation indicated that Nageshwar Rao allegedly obtained ganja from two suppliers identified as Ramesh and Sudhakar in Odisha.
Investigators believe the accused subsequently moved the contraband through his network and supplied it to buyers operating in different parts of the country.
Police said the alleged network extended beyond Telangana, with buyers linked to Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Network spread across several States
According to investigators, Nageshwar Rao allegedly supplied ganja to several people, including individuals identified by police as Urdu, Ramdas Shesharao Biradar, Akleem, Shahrukh Khan, Shaik Akbar and Nunavath Raju.
The police believe these individuals were among the people who purchased ganja through the accused’s network.
Authorities have now turned their attention towards tracing the remaining members of the alleged supply chain. Special police teams have reportedly been formed to locate and apprehend other suspects in different States.
Police launch wider investigation
The arrest is not being treated as an isolated case. Investigators are examining the accused’s alleged contacts with suppliers and buyers to determine the full extent of the network.
Police are expected to question the arrested man further and verify information regarding the source of the contraband, its transportation and the intended recipients.
The investigation could also help authorities identify other people involved in the procurement, transportation and distribution of the narcotic substance.
Police intensify action against narcotics
Commissioner N. Swetha said the Telangana Police Department was maintaining a strict approach towards both the trafficking and consumption of narcotic substances.
She appealed to members of the public to cooperate with law-enforcement agencies by informing the police if they come across information relating to the sale, transportation or consumption of ganja and other illegal drugs.
The police have repeatedly emphasised the importance of public cooperation in identifying drug networks, particularly those operating across district and State boundaries.
Officers praised for operation
The Commissioner appreciated the police personnel involved in tracking down and arresting the accused.
Among those commended were Parkal ACP Sathish Babu, Shayampet CI Sudhakar Reddy, Atmakur CI Santhosh, Damera SI Veerabhadra Rao, Shayampet SI Parameshwar, Parkal SI Raghupathi, AAO Salman Pasha, along with constables from the Damera and Shayampet police units.
Their coordinated efforts resulted in the arrest and seizure of the large quantity of ganja, police said.
