₹3 Crore Worth of Cannabis Seized in Anakapalli; Three Interstate Accused Arrested
Anakapalli, September 3: Anakapalli Rural Police seized 600 kg of cannabis worth around ₹3 crore during a major crackdown on illegal drug trafficking.
The cannabis was allegedly being transported from Odisha through Anakapalli towards Tuni. Police also seized the van used to carry the contraband and a Honda Civic allegedly used as a pilot vehicle.
Three people were arrested in connection with the case. Three others are currently absconding, police said.
Anakapalli District Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha, IPS, disclosed the details at a media briefing on Thursday.
Jail connection allegedly led to cannabis trafficking plan
According to police, Sheikh Mastan Vali (A-1) from Dharmajigudem in West Godavari district had earlier been lodged in Visakhapatnam Central Jail in a cannabis case.
During his time in prison, he allegedly became acquainted with A-3 from Narsipatnam. Police said the two later became involved in planning the large-scale transportation of cannabis.
Investigators said A-3 allegedly arranged to procure 600 kg of cannabis from A-2, who is from Dagudupalli in Chitrakonda block of Malkangiri district, Odisha.
The consignment was allegedly meant to be delivered near Tuni. A-3 had reportedly agreed to pay an additional ₹3 lakh as commission over the price of the cannabis.
Cannabis moved in stages to evade checkpoints
Police said the accused allegedly attempted to avoid checkpoints by moving the cannabis in small consignments.
The material was reportedly transported on foot and on motorcycles from border areas of Odisha. It was later loaded into a van bearing registration number AP39 VA 6786.
A Honda Civic bearing registration number AP16 BC 0018 was allegedly deployed ahead of the van as a pilot vehicle.
Police intercept vehicles at Sampathipuram Junction
Acting on specific information, Anakapalli Rural Police launched an operation.
A team led by Rural Sub-Inspector G. Ravikumar intercepted the suspected vehicles at Sampathipuram Junction in Anakapalli mandal.
Police stopped both the cannabis-laden van and the Honda Civic travelling ahead of it. A subsequent search reportedly led to the recovery of 600 kg of cannabis.
Three arrested, three remain absconding
Police identified the arrested accused as:
Sheikh Mastan Vali (A-1) — Dharmajigudem, West Godavari district
Sheikh Madina (A-4)
Pangi Ratnalu (A-6) — Alluri Sitarama Raju district
The remaining accused, identified as A-2 from Odisha, A-3 from Narsipatnam and A-5 from Alluri Sitarama Raju district, are absconding.
Special police teams have been formed to trace and arrest them.
Accused allegedly have previous cannabis cases
Police said some of the accused have previously faced cannabis-related cases.
A-1 Sheikh Mastan Vali has two previous cases registered at G. Madugula and Kirlayampudi police stations, according to investigators.
A-3 allegedly has five previous cannabis cases registered at Gollugonda, Martur, Kirlayampudi, Jaggampeta and Tangutur police stations.
Police said proposals have also been sent to the government for preventive detention action against A-3 under the PIT-NDPS framework and the PD Act.
A-6 Pangi Ratnalu allegedly has one previous case registered at G. Madugula Police Station.
SP rewards police team
SP Tuhin Sinha appreciated the officers and personnel involved in detecting and stopping the alleged trafficking network.
Cash rewards and appreciation certificates were presented to the police personnel for their work.
Those recognised included SB CI S. Bala Suryarao, Anakapalli Town CI G. Premkumar, Rural CI G. Ashok Kumar, Rural SI G. Ravikumar, Town SI Sheikh Jilani, and Eagle Team CIs T. Dhanunjaya Naidu and V. Nagaraju, along with their teams.
Strict action against drug trafficking
The SP said enforcement against cannabis and other illegal narcotics would continue across Anakapalli district.
He warned that people involved in the illegal sale or transportation of narcotic substances would face stringent legal action.
Police also said preventive detention laws, including the PIT-NDPS framework and PD Act, would be invoked where applicable.
Additional SP L. Mohan Rao, Women Police Station DSP E. Srinivasulu, and other police officials attended the media briefing.
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