Sleuths from the Hyderabad Special Operations Team (SOT), Balanagar, made a significant breakthrough on Wednesday, arresting three drug peddlers for smuggling ganja from Odisha to Haryana via Telangana. The police seized 273 kg of dry ganja, valued at an estimated Rs 1.1 crore, from their possession.
The arrested individuals were identified as Pardeep Kumar, alias Ajay Sharma (27) from Fazilka district (Punjab), Sunny (25), and Manish Kumar (29), both from Bhiwani district (Haryana). The authorities confirmed that they were transporting the contraband as part of a larger smuggling operation that involved key figures from various regions.
Two other key figures in the operation, Sahil, a financier and receiver from Sonipat district (Haryana), and Subhash Biswas, alias Samuel, the primary ganja supplier from Odisha, are still absconding. Investigations have revealed that Sahil had been in contact with Pardeep for the past several weeks.
Around March 31, Pardeep and Sahil traveled to Odisha, where Sahil introduced Subhash to Pardeep and arranged the consignment of ganja. Pardeep paid Rs 1.3 lakh to Subhash for the shipment, which was later intercepted by the Hyderabad SOT.
According to N. Koti Reddy, DCP of Medchal Zone, Hyberabad, Sunny and Manish had roles in the operation, with Sunny acting as a driver and Manish assisting with the loading of the ganja. They had planned to distribute the drugs across Haryana, marking a major bust for the local authorities.
The police continue to trace the absconding individuals, and investigations are underway to dismantle the broader smuggling network that spans multiple states.
