In a major crackdown on narcotics in recent times, the Special Operations Team (SOT) of Maheshwaram Zone along with Abdullapurmet police busted an interstate drug peddling racket, seized 1.2 kg of marijuana worth Rs 6.2 crore and arrested one person on Tuesday.
The arrested man, Vikram Vishnoi (22), a driver from Rajasthan, was transporting the contraband from Malkangiri in Odisha to Rajasthan in a truck.
Rachakonda Police Commissioner G Sudheer Babu said marijuana was packed in plastic bags which were hidden beneath cement bags to evade detection during vehicle checking at interstate check
posts.
Following a tip-off, police intercepted the vehicle on NH-65 near Kothaguda ‘X’ road in Abdullapurmet and seized the drug.
Police said Vikram Vishnoi was working for a Rajasthan-based syndicate led by Devilal, Aayub Khan and Ramlal, who had promised him Rs 5 lakh per consignment.
The seized marijuana was sourced from forest areas of Malkangiri and meant for distribution across Rajasthan. Efforts are underway to trace the wider network, the commissioner said.
Rachakonda Police reiterated its commitment to curb the drug menace by focusing on both supply chain disruption and awareness campaigns.