Asifabad police arrest father-son duo for cultivating ganja worth Rs 1.50 crore

Asifabad police arrested a man and his son for allegedly cultivating ganja as an intercrop in their cotton field. Police seized 1,245 plants valued at Rs 1.50 crore from Nagolkonda village and launched a probe to identify the masterminds.

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: A man and his son were arrested on charges of cultivating banned ganja crop at the Jainoor mandal centre on Monday. Police seized 1,245 ganja plants valued at Rs 1.50 crore from their cotton field at Nagolkonda village in Nanoor mandal.

Briefing the media about the arrest, SP Nitika Pant said that Ambure Pundalik and his son Ramesh were taken into custody for growing the contraband crop as an intercrop in his 10-acre cotton field.

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Pundalik was initially detained for allegedly possessing 11 grams of ganja during a vehicle check in Jainoor on Sunday night. During interrogation, Pundalik confessed to cultivating the crop with assistance from his son at his farm for quite a long time. Police conducted raids on the farm and seized the plants before apprehending Ramesh for his role in the offence.

Nitika said that it took more than 10 hours to count the plants, which had to be carried on policemen’s heads due to the valley terrain. She commended Jainoor police for unearthing the large-scale ganja cultivation. Police estimated the seized plants could generate income around three times higher than the assessed value.

Nitika further said that they were focusing on identifying the masterminds behind the cultivation. She stated that they were investigating the source of the seeds and marketing channels. She warned of stern action against those who indulge in growing, smuggling and peddling ganja.

Asifabad DSP Ashok, Jainoor Inspector Ramesh and SI G Ravi Kumar took part in the operation.