Booked as Medicine, Delivered as Ganja: Hyderabad Police Bust Interstate Speed Post Racket
HYDERABAD: Hyderabad’s Narcotics Enforcement Wing (H-NEW) has busted a well-organised interstate cannabis trafficking syndicate that allegedly used India Post’s Speed Post service to transport ganja across at least 21 states.
The accused allegedly declared the consignments as “medicines” to avoid suspicion.
Police arrested the alleged mastermind, Satyam Misra, in Jharkhand after investigating a suspicious parcel sent to Hyderabad. Four other members of the syndicate remain absconding.
Ganja parcels disguised as medicines
According to police, the syndicate cultivated and sourced ganja in Jharkhand. Members packed the drug in parcels weighing between 50 grams and 250 grams.
They booked the consignments through post offices at Isri Bazar and Phusro Bazar after declaring them as medicines.
The parcels travelled through the postal network by train and commercial flights. Customers in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi and several other cities allegedly received the consignments.
Investigators found that parcels sent to Hyderabad travelled by air without security screening. Police said this exposed a major gap in parcel screening.
Syndicate operated like an online business
Police said the gang ran the operation like an e-commerce business.
Customers allegedly placed orders through WhatsApp and other social media platforms. They made payments using multiple UPI accounts.
The accused allegedly used code words such as “Mango”, “Stick” and “Flower” instead of directly referring to ganja. For example, “1 Mango” and “10 Mango” represented specific quantities of cannabis.
After receiving payment, the syndicate packed and dispatched the parcels through Speed Post.
Investigators estimate the gang processed 80 to 100 customer orders every day. It also dispatched eight to 10 postal consignments daily.
Police said each order cost between ₹1,500 and ₹8,000. The syndicate allegedly generated nearly ₹1 lakh every day.
Investigators estimate its monthly earnings at ₹30 lakh to ₹35 lakh. They believe the annual turnover reached ₹4 crore to ₹5 crore.
Separate Mumbai supply chain
Police said the syndicate also maintained a separate network of more than 1,000 regular consumers in Mumbai.
The gang allegedly transported bulk quantities by train. Members later distributed smaller packets through local trains and autorickshaws to avoid attracting attention.
Police track money trail
Investigators are also examining the financial transactions.
Police alleged that Satyam Misra used multiple bank accounts and PhonePe-linked UPI IDs to collect payments. One account reportedly belonged to his mother and was maintained with Jharkhand Rajya Gramin Bank.
According to investigators, the gang distributed the proceeds among its members based on their roles. The accused allegedly invested the money in gold ornaments and luxury vehicles to launder the proceeds.
Probe began with intercepted parcel
The investigation started after H-NEW intercepted a parcel sent from Jharkhand to Hyderabad.
During questioning, the recipient allegedly revealed details about the supply chain.
Police later tracked another parcel booked from a different post office in Jharkhand. That operation led to the arrest of another buyer in Hyderabad.
Police registered separate cases at Gudimalkapur and SR Nagar police stations.
Investigators arrested two Hyderabad-based buyers, Sushanth Vyas and Laddu. They seized about 2 kg of ganja during the operation.
The investigation later led police to Jharkhand, where they arrested the alleged mastermind.
Courier firms told to tighten checks
Following the bust, Hyderabad City Police ordered stricter monitoring of courier agencies.
Police directed courier operators to scan every parcel before booking and delivery.
The department will also write to the central authorities seeking stronger screening protocols for postal consignments transported by rail and air.
