The men were transporting cannabis from Rajamahendravaram in Andhra Pradesh to Lathur in Maharashtra.
Published Dec 16, 2023 | 7:19 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 16, 2023 | 7:19 PM
The seized cannabis is valued ₹1 crore in the international market.
In a major drug haul, the Special Operations Team (SOT) of Balanagar Zone in Cyberabad arrested two men with 400 kg of cannabis valued at ₹1 crore in the international market.
A lorry and two mobile phones, too, were seized from accused persons, drivers Bablu Khare alias Krishna, 23, of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and Govind Patidar, 42, of Amravati in Maharashtra, on Friday evening, 15 December. Patidar originally hailed from Madhya Pradesh, the police said.
The banned substance was seized following Chief Minister Revanth Reddy instructed the police to crack down on drug peddlers. The operation was conducted jointly with the Jeedimetla Police.
Investigators said Khare purchased a lorry bearing the registration number MP-09-HG-3599 on finance for a down payment of ₹2.50 lakh. Patidar, a close aide of Khare, was working as a driver of the same vehicle. The men decided to engage in illegal activities to overcome their financial difficulties.
The police have found that a man from Odisha, also named Bablu, approached the duo to transport cannabis from Rajamahendravaram in Andhra Pradesh to Lathur in Maharashtra, where it was to be handed over to one Aravind.
The arrested duo was also paid ₹75,000 as advance. Khare used the amount to repair the lorry.
On 14 December, 40 sealed bundles, each having 10 kg of cannabis, were loaded onto the lorry on the outskirts of Rajamahendravaram. Saplings were also loaded to camouflage the illegal consignment. Around 6:30 pm the next day, Khare and Patidar were arrested near Jeedimetla on the city outskirts.
Cyberabad Commissioner of Police Avinash Mohanty lauded the efforts of the SOT and the Jeedimetla Police.
He urged citizens to report any information on drug peddlers over 100 or Cyberabad NDPS Enforcement Cell at 7901105423 or via WhatsApp at 9490617444.
