Three held after 220 kg ganja seized in Anakapalli district

The Ravikamatham police in Anakapalli district seized 220 kg of ganja, valued at around ₹1.1 crore, and arrested three persons allegedly involved in an inter-State drug trafficking network. Two vehicles used to transport the contraband were also seized.

The seizure was made on July 15 during vehicle checks at Gudivada Junction on the Ravikamatham-Anakapalli road by a police team led by Sub-Inspector M. Raghu Varma. The team intercepted a Maruti Ertiga and a Tata Curvv and recovered the contraband during a search of the vehicles.

The arrested persons were identified as Killo Timothy (26) of Alluri Sitharama Raju district, Sheikh Mohammed Rafi (26) of Sattenapalli in Palnadu district, and Sheikh Fayaz (19), also of Sattenapalli. Police said Timothy was the alleged supplier, Rafi the purchaser, and Fayaz the driver of one of the vehicles.

Five other suspects, including three occupants of the vehicles and two persons escorting the convoy on a motorcycle, escaped during the operation, police said.

Investigators said Rafi had allegedly procured 50 kg of ganja from Timothy earlier and had now purchased 220 kg after paying an advance of ₹1.5 lakh. The contraband was allegedly meant to be delivered to a receiver in Hosur, Tamil Nadu.

Police said the vehicles were escorted through interior roads from the Agency area to avoid detection, before being intercepted at Gudivada Junction based on specific intelligence.

A case has been registered at the Ravikamatham Police Station under Sections 20(b) and 25 read with Section 8(c) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Special teams have been formed to trace the remaining suspects, including the alleged receiver in Hosur.

Deputy Superintendent of Police G.R.R. Mohan commended the police team involved in the operation and presented cash rewards to the officers during a media conference.