Two persons, including a juvenile, were apprehended by the Gopalapuram police after 17 kg of marijuana was seized from a lodge in Secunderabad on Sunday, June 14.

The arrested accused were identified as 23-year-old Rishi Kumar, a worker employed at a coating unit in Bandamailaram of Medchal-Malkajgiri district, and a 17-year-old juvenile, who was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board. Another accused, Vijay alias Sambhav Kumar, 21, suspected to be the supplier, is absconding.

According to the police, acting on specific information about the movement of contraband, a team led by Sub-Inspector K. Srinivasa Yadav conducted a search operation at a lodge in Secunderabad on Sunday afternoon.

During the operation, police detained the two suspects and searched their belongings, leading to the seizure of 13 packets of marijuana weighing a total of 17 kg. Two mobile phones allegedly used for communication in connection with the transportation of the contraband were also seized.

During questioning, the accused allegedly told investigators that they had been recruited by Vijay and paid to transport the marijuana from Sambalpur in Odisha to Pune in Maharashtra via Hyderabad.

Police suspect the seizure is linked to a larger interstate supply chain and are investigating the involvement of other persons connected to the operation. Efforts are under way to trace and apprehend the absconding supplier.

A case was registered under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Gopalapuram police station, and further investigation is in progress.