Police seize 98 kg ganja from inter-state smugglers

Vijayawada: Martur police of Bapatla district have arrested a gang of five inter-state ganja smugglers and seized from them 98 kg of narcotic worth around ₹4.41 lakh.

Bapatla SP Vakul Jindal identified the accused as P. Sammad of Nadi Madathil, Ashok of Kannur and Chammu of Vadakkancherry, all from Kerala, A. Prabhakara Rao of Paderu in Alluri Sitarama Raju district and B. Kodandaramadu of Nakkapalli in Anakapalli district.

Vakul Jindal said all the accused consume and sell ganja. Recently all of them bought ganja from some tribals in Odisha and started transporting it in a Tata Indigo car KL 11W 4308 to Bangalore.

A special team led by Martur sub-inspector Kamalakar had been keeping a special vigil on smuggling of ganja. The team intercepted the Indigo on Monday at Bollapalli toll plaza. The smugglers tried to evade the police but were intercepted. Checking of the car revealed 98 kg of ganja packed in 49 packets in the car.

The SP congratulated Bapatla SDPO A. Srinivasa Rao, Martur inspector Sk. Therissa Firoz and Martur sub-inspector Y. Kamalakar and other staff for seizure of contraband.