Excise Officials seize 2.94 kg of ganja in 2 separate raids in Manikonda, SR Nagar

Hyderabad: Telangana Excise Officials apprehended individuals involved in the sale of ganja, seizing 2.94 kg from two locations, Manikonda and Vinayaka Executive PG Hostel in SR Nagar, on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

According to police investigations, Erraganti Lokesh, an IT professional, became addicted to ganja from the Dhoolpet area, leading to the loss of his job and a subsequent descent into selling cannabis.

Acting on a tip-off regarding illicit activities in Manikonda, the Special Task Force (STF) team conducted a search and discovered 1.74 kg of ganja at Lokesh’s residence.

Lokesh, originally from Allampadu in Nellore district, was found selling ganja at a rate of 20 grams for Rs. 1,000. Another accused, Akula Srikanth, also from Nellore and an IT employee, was identified as a supplier who sold ganja for Rs. 20,000 per kg. Following his confession, a case has been registered against Srikanth.

During a separate raid at Vinayaka Executive PG Hostel in SR Nagar, the Special Task Force (STF) seized 1.2 kg of ganja. The operation was initiated based on a tip-off about a suspect named Pavan, who was selling ganja from room 6 on the second floor. Additionally, the team apprehended Koli Manikanta Chowdary from Kanalagunta, Nellore, and Pavan from Guntur district, both were involved in the sale.

The STF has identified 22 additional individuals who purchased ganja, with cases registered against them. Further investigations revealed that Kamlesh and Amosh from Araku, Visakhapatnam were supplying ganja to the accused.

Excise Enforcement Director VB Kamalasan Reddy commended the STF team, led by Anji Reddy and comprising officers including MPR Chandrasekhar, Sub-Inspector Sai Kiran Reddy, and Head Constables Bhaskar Reddy, Sridhar, and Azeem, for their efforts in this operation.