In a major anti-narcotics operation, the Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district police, in coordination with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), arrested three persons and seized 1,125 kg ganja, allegedly being transported in a vehicle at Busuputtu village under Munchingputtu police station limits in ASR district on Sunday.

The seized contraband is estimated to be worth over ₹1.5 crore in the market.

According to Munchingputtu Police Station Sub Inspector P. Nani, the accused include two persons from Andhra Pradesh and one from Odisha. They were allegedly transporting the ganja packed in bags in a van, when the police intercepted the vehicle.

Mr. Nani said that the operation was carried out based on credible intelligence inputs regarding the movement of a large quantity of narcotic substance through the area. Acting swiftly, a joint team of ASR district police and NCB officials conducted vehicle checks at Busuputtu village and intercepted the vehicle.

During the search, the police recovered 1,125 kg of ganja concealed in the vehicle and took the three into custody. The contraband and the vehicle used for transportation were seized.

Investigation revealed that the ganja was being transported from Jeypore in Odisha to Koraput in Odisha through the hilly regions of Alluri Sitharama Raju district in an attempt to evade detection.

The arrested persons have been booked under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Further investigation is on.