A joint operation by the Balanagar Special Operations Team (SOT) and Bachupally Police has resulted in the arrest of three individuals involved in the illegal trade of counterfeit cotton seeds. The gang was apprehended while attempting to transport 700 kilograms of fake BG-III cotton seeds, valued at Rs17.5 lakh, on Tuesday.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Aluru Madanna (54), a farmer from Ganjerla village in Kurnool, Adarsh (26), the lorry driver, and Golla Uday (23), the cleaner. Authorities revealed that Madanna was the mastermind behind the operation, allegedly producing the counterfeit seeds by mixing dye with seeds sourced from a ginning mill in Gajendragad, Karnataka. The fake seeds were then transported to Hyderabad for distribution through brokers.
During their interrogation, Madanna confessed to selling similar counterfeit seeds to farmers in Jangaon through brokers in the past. Following the arrest, the police froze Madanna’s bank account, and the seized seed samples have been sent for testing. Authorities also confirmed that Madanna had a history of similar offenses and was previously arrested by Yalal police in Vikarabad district.
As concerns over counterfeit seeds harming farmers’ livelihoods continue to grow, authorities have stepped up their efforts to crack down on such illegal operations. Investigations are ongoing to identify the network of brokers and other accomplices involved in this illicit trade.
