HYDERABAD: In a major crackdown on illegal drug trafficking, the Manuguru Excise Police intercepted a Tata Safari transporting 64 kg of ganja from the Andhra-Odisha border forests towards Bengaluru. The operation took place on Wednesday near Rathangutta Urban Park in Manuguru.
Acting on a tip-off, the Kothagudem Excise Task Force and the Manuguru Excise Station teams conducted vehicle inspections at the designated location. During the checks, a Tata Safari raised suspicion, prompting officials to inspect it thoroughly. Upon searching, they discovered ganja concealed inside the vehicle.
The police immediately detained the driver and weighed the seized ganja, confirming it to be 64 kg. Authorities also confiscated the Tata Safari vehicle and a mobile phone. The total value of the seized contraband, including the vehicle, is estimated to be ₹19.10 lakh, according to Assistant Excise Superintendent Karam Chand.
The arrested individual has been identified as Mohammed Jameer from Kerala. The raid was carried out by a team led by CI Raji Reddy, along with SIs Gautham and Kishore Babu, and excise personnel Habeeb Pasha, Venkata Narayana, Sumanth, Prasanna, Srinu, Anjaneyulu, Parthasarathi, and Ramesh.
Authorities have intensified surveillance in the region to curb illegal drug transportation and have vowed to take strict action against smugglers.
