In a major operation conducted by the Alluri Sitharama Raju district police in collaboration with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Chennai, a significant breakthrough was achieved as a person was apprehended with a staggering 1,760 kg of ganja. The arrest took place in the Injari area, falling under the jurisdiction of the Pedabayalu police station, resulting in a potential crackdown on an inter-state drug network.
The suspect, identified as G. Sundara Rao, a 40-year-old resident of Ginnegaruvu village in the Injari Panchayat of Pedabayalu mandal, was taken into custody after the joint operation conducted by the ASR district police and NCB officials. The arrest followed a crucial lead provided by another detainee named Suresh, who had been apprehended by the NCB in Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu, with 160 kg of ganja. Suresh confessed to purchasing the illicit substance from Sundara Rao in Paderu, Andhra Pradesh.
Acting on this vital information, the NCB Assistant Director in Chennai dispatched a team to Paderu, collaborating with the ASR district police to investigate the case further. Acting swiftly upon receiving concrete intelligence, a team led by G. Madugula PS Circle Inspector A. Satyanarayana and Sub-Inspector of Pedabayalu PS P. Manoj Kumar, along with their respective staff members, proceeded to Sundara Rao’s residence.
In a bid to evade the authorities, Sundara Rao had concealed the entire stash of ganja in an attic, a separate storage space typically used by farmers for rice bags and other materials. However, the pungent odor emanating from the attic aroused suspicion, prompting the police to conduct a thorough search. Their efforts yielded astonishing results, as they discovered 71 gunny bags containing ganja, with a combined weight of 1,760 kg.
Following the successful operation, Sundara Rao was arrested by the NCB team, and arrangements are being made to secure a transit warrant to transport him to Chennai for further legal proceedings. The estimated value of the seized ganja amounts to ₹50 lakh in the Agency areas of the Alluri Sitharama Raju district. However, authorities believe that the street value of the seized narcotics could reach as high as ₹2 crore in certain North Indian states, highlighting the potential scale of the illegal drug trade.
The collaborative effort between the Alluri Sitharama Raju district police and the NCB underscores the determination of law enforcement agencies to combat the menace of drug trafficking and dismantle the networks involved. The successful arrest and significant seizure mark a significant step forward in curbing the illegal drug trade in the region and beyond.
The investigation is ongoing, and further actions will be taken to unravel the entire drug supply chain, identify associated individuals, and ensure that justice is served.