Visakhapatnam: The two town police in Visakhapatnam have apprehended five individuals linked to a Ganja trafficking operation following a raid on the evening of November 29. The arrests were made under Crime No. 292/2024, in compliance with sections 20(b)(ii)(B) and 8(C) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The details of the arrests were briefed by the ACP East Laxman Murthy during a press conference held on Saturday. He said the operation was initiated by a tip-off regarding illicit Ganja transportation in the area. The suspects were caught while attempting to move a significant amount of the drug.
The main suspect, Shakeela Guna, 51, from Chennai, is the main accused. He was arrested alongside three accomplices, Palini Rajesh (40), Nazir Basha (49), and Jabunisha (54), all hailing from Tamil Nadu. The fifth individual, Lasangi Malanna, 59, is suspected of being the source of the Ganja.
Reports indicate that Shakeela and her group travelled from Chennai to Visakhapatnam on November 28, where they met Lasangi Malanna in Digurapalli village to negotiate the purchase of 20 kilograms of Ganja for Rs 50,000. They paid Rs 30,000 upfront and planned to settle the remaining Rs 20,000 later.
On November 29, around 4 PM, Lasangi provided an additional 10 kilograms of Ganja to Shakeela's group as they prepared to return to Chennai. However, acting on a tip-off, police conducted a coordinated raid with the Task Force.
During this operation, authorities seized 20.028 kg of Ganja packaged in eight packets within two bags, along with three mobile phones. Following their arrest around 10 PM on November 29, all five suspects are currently in judicial custody as investigations proceed.
