Telangana: Two arrested for cultivating cannabis plants in Asifabad

Police arrested two men in Telangana for growing cannabis in separate cases, seizing 80 plants worth Rs 5 lakh. Drones are being used to detect illegal cultivation, with 55 cases registered and 560 plants seized since June

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: Two persons were arrested for allegedly cultivating cannabis plants in separate incidents in the district on Sunday. Police seized 80 plants worth Rs 5 lakh from them.

In the first incident, a tribal man, Rathod Balaji of Narayanaguda village in Kerameri mandal, was apprehended after police received a tip-off. A team led by ASP S Chittaranjan raided the location and seized 50 plants from his field.

---

In a separate case, another person was arrested at Lingapur mandal centre for committing a similar offence. Thirty plants were seized from his possession.

ASP Chittaranjan said drone cameras were being deployed to monitor dense cotton fields where cannabis was being cultivated as an intercrop. He said 55 cases had been registered since June, leading to the seizure of 560 plants valued at Rs 55 lakh.

He added that continuous engagement and sensitisation drives were motivating citizens to report suspicious activities. “Our teams are combing hilly and remote areas to uproot ganja plantations. Awareness programmes in schools and villages have led to a rise in actionable intelligence from local communities,” the ASP said.