Nizamabad turns transit point for ganja trade

Nizamabad: North Telangana districts, particularly Nizamabad , are turning into transit points for smuggling of ganja. Ganja is being transported from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha to Maharashtra via Telangana.

Prohibition, excise and police officials jointly conducted raids and seized dry ganja from the smugglers at various places in the district. The narcotic is transported on National Highway 44 to either Mumbai or Nagpur.

Ganja worth lakhs of rupees is smuggled in cars, vans and other vehicles.
Earlier, ganja was cultivated to a large extent in Gandhari, Sadashivnagar, Macha reddy, Sirikonda, Daripalli, Dichpally and Nizamabad mandals.

Following the continuous raids by police and excise officials, the farmers stopped the cultivation of ganja as mixed crop. Presently, ganja is being cultivated at Visakhapat-nam and Andhra-Odisha borders.

Speaking to this paper, prohibition and excise superintendent of Kamareddy K. Chandrasekhar said they have kept close watch on movements of suspects in ganja smuggling.

“Few farmers, who had earlier cultivated ganja in Kamareddy division are now engaged in transportation of dry ganja. Serious action will be initiated against smugglers and mediators if they are invol-ved in ganja cases,” he warned.

It is believed that dry ganja is being sold at Rs 2,000 per kg and in one
attempt the smugglers shifting around 2-3 lakh worth of ganja. As a
result, the mediators are getting hefty commission for helping the
smugglers of both Andhra and Maharashtra.

Under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985, the smugglers will be seize ganja transporting vehicles official sources said. In addition, police, revenue and excise officials will seize the smugglers and initiate action, they added.