EAGLE Force busts alleged interstate ganja network, five arrested

EAGLE Force and Choutuppal police have arrested five persons, including an alleged kingpin, after busting an interstate ganja trafficking network. Police seized 24.7 kg of ganja and are investigating financial transactions and an alleged supply chain from Odisha.

Hyderabad: The EAGLE Force, in coordination with Choutuppal police, has busted an interstate drug trafficking network operated by an Assam-based gang and arrested five persons, including its alleged kingpin Bhaskar Hazarika. The officials seized 24.7 kg of ganja and seven mobile phones.

According to Sandeep Shandilya, Director, EAGLE Force, the operation followed a two-month investigation into an NDPS case registered at Choutuppal police station on August 27, when police intercepted a Maruti Suzuki Fronx after a hot chase and seized 20.36 kg of ganja. Two Odisha natives, Trilochan Samantaray and Sagarbal, were arrested. Their interrogation led police to their supplier Bikas Barik, who was subsequently arrested. His confession revealed Hazarika’s role as the alleged kingpin.

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Hazarika (31), a native of Assam, had earlier been arrested in two ganja cases by Madhapur Police and another by Gachibowli Police in 2024. However, after securing bail, he allegedly rebuilt his network by bringing associates from Assam and establishing a supply chain from Odisha.

According to the official, Hazarika operated the network from Prem Nagar in New Hafeezpet, where he ran a small roadside hotel. He allegedly employed couriers, packers and delivery personnel to distribute ganja among nearly 100 regular consumers in Cyberabad.

“Financial analysis revealed that between February 2 and October 29, 2026, Hazarika allegedly purchased ganja worth Rs.48 lakh from an Odisha-based supplier through 88 bank transactions. Officials estimate that he procured nearly 400 kg and generated sales worth around Rs.1.8 crore in 10 months,” said Sandeep Shandilya.

The four other arrested persons are Babu Borah, Nirmal Hazarika, Pranajal Dutta and Akan Rajbanshi, all natives of Assam.

He added that sustained surveillance and inter-State coordination helped dismantle the network, with further investigation underway into its financial transactions and supply chain.