Secunderabad Railway police bust ganja smuggling racket, two women arrested
HYDERABAD: The Secunderabad Railway Police (GRP), the EAGLE team (TGANB), and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) coordinated to dismantle an interstate ganja smuggling racket originating from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. They arrested two women transporters at Secunderabad Railway Station.
Detailing the arrests and seizure, the team conducted the operation on April 11, 2026, and seized 7.866 kilograms of dry ganja valued at approximately Rs 3,93,300, two mobile phones, and two train tickets. Police arrested Panchadi Rukmini (56), wife of Gundu, a labourer from Bondam village, Araku Valley Mandal, Alluri Sitharama Raju District, Andhra Pradesh, and Setti Kasulamma (44), wife of the late Dhanraj, also a labourer from the same village and district. Both women were arrested on April 11, 2026. Police continue to search for the alleged kingpin, Eshwar Rao, also from Alluri Sitharama Raju District.
Providing background on the accused, police said that both women habitually transport ganja and have a history of similar offences. They previously transported ganja to various states. Police in Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, and Vizianagaram apprehended them and sent them to jail. After their release, they contacted the absconding accused, Eshwar Rao, who offered them Rs 5,000 each to transport contraband ganja to Secunderabad. The women, facing financial difficulties, accepted the offer.
Describing the smuggling operation, on the evening of April 10, 2026, A2 and A3 met A1 at Visakhapatnam Railway Station. He gave each woman two packets of ganja and instructed them to transport the contraband to Secunderabad. He told them to wait in the general waiting hall at Secunderabad until evening, where two of his associates would collect the packets.
The women followed instructions and boarded the Godavari Express with general tickets. They arrived at Secunderabad Railway Station at approximately 5:10 AM on April 11 and entered the general waiting hall. At about 2:30 PM, police personnel approached the women. Police found bags containing ganja in their possession. During questioning, the accused voluntarily confessed to carrying ganja. Ramesh Naidu, IPS, IGP of Railway and Road Safety, appreciated the efforts of the officers and personnel from GRP Secunderabad, the EAGLE team (TGANB), and the RPF. He announced that he would suitably reward them for their successful operation.
