HYDERABAD: In a major crackdown, police in Yalal mandal of Vikarabad district seized 22 quintals of fake cotton seeds valued at approximately ₹44 lakh near Bhagayapalli on Saturday (April 12). District SP Narayana Reddy confirmed the incident, stating that the counterfeit seeds were being smuggled into the region for illegal sale ahead of the sowing season.
Based on a tip-off from Task Force Inspector Anwar Pasha and Electricity Inspector Y. Nagesh, a team comprising the District Task Force, Yalal Police, and Agriculture Department officials reached the Bhagayapalli crossroads. There, they found three men moving suspiciously with plastic bags. While two were apprehended, one suspect managed to flee.
The arrested individuals were identified as Nannapaneni Sivanageswara Rao from Angalluru village in Kurichalukota mandal, Andhra Pradesh, and Dasari Srinivasa Rao from Chebrolu in Guntur district. The absconding suspect, Narayana Reddy, is reportedly from Kottakota village of the same state.
Upon inspection, officials found 75 plastic bags filled with unlabelled cotton seed packets – with no batch numbers, manufacturing or expiry dates, or any legally required details. The seeds were reportedly sourced from Karnataka and brought into Telangana with plans to sell them in Yalal mandal, targeting unsuspecting farmers at inflated prices.
Agriculture Officer A. Swetha confirmed that no transport permits or official approvals were carried by the suspects. SP Narayana Reddy noted that the gang aimed to capitalise on the seasonal demand while bypassing regulations, with the intention of defrauding farmers.
The two arrested have been booked and remanded, and efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend the absconding accused in the fake cotton seeds seized case.
Police and agriculture officials have since urged farmers to remain vigilant and avoid purchasing seeds from unauthorised dealers or unknown individuals. Farmers are advised to verify seed packaging for labels, batch numbers, and expiry details, ensure the seller holds a valid licence, and always collect receipts for their purchases.
Authorities also appealed to the public to report any suspicious seed activity immediately to local police or agriculture officers.
