Tirupati Police Bust Drug Network, Incinerate Ganja Worth ₹20 Crore

After taking permission from the court, they incinerated the narcotic at the Solid Waste Management Centre at Thukivakam in Renigunta mandal. District collector Dr. S. Venkateswar and superintendent of police L. Subba Rayudu and others witnessed the destruction of the cannabis.

Addressing media on the occasion, the collector said the state government has taken a strict approach against cultivation, transport and consumption of ganja and other narcotic substances. There is a dedicated enforcement system with special teams monitoring drug movement across districts.

He mentioned that Tirupati has been identified as a transit point for ganja being transported from ASR district via Visakhapatnam and Kakinada towards Chennai, Bengaluru and Kerala. He said intensified checks of buses, trains, and private vehicles have led to significant seizures.

Dr. S. Venkateswar underlined that alongside enforcement, awareness programmes are being conducted extensively among students on the harmful effects of drug use. Nearly one lakh students from Classes VIII to Intermediate have been covered through online and offline campaigns. Habitual offenders have been detained under the Preventive Detention Act.

Speaking on the occasion, SP Subba Rayudu said the police department would not show any leniency against those supplying and using ganja and other narcotic substances. He underlined that Tirupati is a spiritual city and all efforts to smuggle in or consume drugs will be curbed.

The SP called upon public to cooperate with authorities in efforts to completely eliminate ganja and drug menace from the district. He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone involved in the cultivation, transport, storage, or consumption of ganja.

Those present at the press conference included additional SPs, DSPs and other officials.