Telangana’s elite anti-drug unit, EAGLE (Elite Action Group for Law Enforcement), has cracked a major inter-state cannabis smuggling racket near Hyderabad, arresting three suspects and seizing nearly 936 kilograms of cannabis valued at approximately Rs5 crore.
The raid took place at the Batasingaram fruit market, where officials recovered 35 large bags of ganja along with six mobile phones, a DCM van, and a car from the accused.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Pawar Kumar alias Baddu (30) and Vinayak Babasaheb Pawar (32), both from Satara, Maharashtra, and Samadhan Kantilal Bhise (35), a driver from the same region.
EAGLE Director Sandeep Sandilya revealed that the gang smuggled cannabis from Odisha to Maharashtra, passing through Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Notably, Baddu and his associate Sachin Gangaram Chauhan from Solapur were arrested previously in 2020 for similar offenses. Post-release, they regrouped and expanded their syndicate.
While Sachin and another supplier, Vicky Seth alias Sattibabu, remain absconding, investigations uncovered the gang’s modus operandi. On July 23, the accused rented a DCM truck in Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh, purchased cannabis from Odisha, concealed it within fruit trays, and began their journey to Maharashtra. On July 26, Kantilal drove the truck while Baddu and Vinayak scouted ahead for police checkpoints.
Acting on a tip-off, EAGLE teams from Rachakonda and Khammam intercepted the vehicle at Batasingaram and apprehended the trio.
Further probe revealed the gang operated on a credit-based model, extending loans to local peddlers in Maharashtra and managing funds through bank accounts, indicating a well-structured narcotics syndicate.
Officials said this is the largest cannabis seizure in Telangana this year and a significant victory against drug trafficking in the state.
