10-year jail term for man in 2017 ganja smuggling case
The IX Additional District Court at Chodavaram has sentenced a man to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh in connection with a 2017 ganja smuggling case under the limits of Kothakota police station in Anakapalli district.
The accused, Varri Paidiyya alias Narsingarao, was apprehended by the police on March 11, 2017, near the Dharmateja petrol bunk while allegedly transporting ganja. During the operation, police seized about 138 kg of ganja packed in six PVC bags. An Etios car (AP 31 CN 2158) and a motorcycle (AP 31 CJ 8197) used for transporting the contraband were also seized.
The verdict was delivered by IX Additional District Judge M. Harinarayana.
Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha, IPS, said the district police were committed to making Anakapalli a drug-free district and warned that stringent action would be taken against those involved in the cultivation, sale, or transportation of ganja.
He appreciated the efforts of the then Kothakota Sub-Inspector D. Sekharam and his team for filing a chargesheet backed by strong evidence. The SP also commended Additional Public Prosecutor C.H. Suryanarayana and the court monitoring cell staff for effectively presenting forensic reports and other evidence before the court.
Police officials said the conviction is expected to act as a deterrent to those engaged in illegal drug trafficking and would strengthen ongoing efforts to curb narcotics in the district.