Ganja worth Rs 26 lakh seized, two from Kerala arrested in Kothagudem

Excise officials in Khammam district arrested two Kerala-based smugglers transporting ganja from Odisha. The contraband, weighing 51.9 kg and valued at Rs 26 lakh, was concealed under a car bonnet and intercepted at Kunavaram Crossroads in Bhadrachalam. A third accused from Suryapet remains absconding.

Kothagudem: Khammam excise enforcement officials arrested two ganja smugglers from Kerala and seized ganja worth Rs 26 lakh on Wednesday. Khammam excise enforcement assistant commissioner Ganesh informed that Sub-Inspector, Srihari Rao and his team caught the ganja being smuggled from Odisha to Kerala in a car during vehicle checks at Kunavaram cross roads in Bhadrachalam in the district.

Ganja packets weighing 51.9 kg were found hidden under the car bonnet. The accused, Zacharia Parayil and Nasira Purdiya Vettal of Kerala were arrested; handed over to Bhadrachalam excise station Circle Inspector along with the ganja, a car and a bike seized in the incident.

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A case was also registered against a person from Suryapet, Kandula Ravi, who was absconding. The prohibition and excise department, enforcement director, Shahnawaz Qasim appreciated the excise personnel who seized the ganja, said an official release.