The NTR police used surveillance drones to bust a ganja smuggling racket, which was carrying the contraband from Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) and the Agency villages in Visakhapatnam district to Maharashtra.
“On specific information, the police tracked the movement of the [two] cars by using drones. However, the smugglers abandoned the vehicles along the National Highway and fled,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) K.V. Maheswara Raju on Wednesday (January 8).
The accused crashed the stoppers at Kalaparru and Keesara tollgates and tried to escape. But, on seeing the police forces, the smugglers left the cars near Chillakallu and Nandigama areas and fled, the DCP added.
Mr. Maheswara Raju said they seized 200 kg ganja and four fake number plates with A.P., Odisha and Maharashtra registrations.
In the preliminary inquiry, it was revealed that the accused, natives of Maharashtra, collected Marijuana stocks from the tribal habitations in Visakhapatnam Agency and AOB.
“Through drone cameras, it was observed that the cars had pilot and escort on two-wheelers, who alerted the smugglers on drone surveillance. The gangs used different number plates at Kalaparru and Keesara toll gates,” the DCP said.
Police are trying to find out the leader of the racket. The Chillakallu and Nandigama police registered separate cases on the seizure of the contraband, Mr. Maheswara Raju said.
Published – January 08, 2025 11:25 pm IST
