Hyderabad, Telangana's anti-narcotics agency, EAGLE Force, conducted a major operation on the Vijayawada-Mumbai National Highway (NH-65) and recovered 237 kg of marijuana from a lorry container. The seized marijuana is estimated to be worth ₹1.18 crore in the international market. The consignment was being transported from Odisha to Pune, Maharashtra via Hyderabad. Two alleged transporters from Bihar and Pune have been arrested in connection with the case.

Acting on credible information, a joint team from the State Task Force of EAGLE Force and the Rachakonda Narcotics Police Station searched the vehicle near the YNR Function Hall on NH-65. During the search, marijuana hidden in the cabin of the lorry container was recovered.

Agreed to Smuggle in Exchange for Financial Support

According to police investigations, accused Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Bihar, moved to Mumbai in 2015, where he earned a living driving a transport lorry. The second accused, Anil Rangnath Bichre, is a resident of Pune, Maharashtra, and works as a laborer.

About seven months ago, Rajesh met Suresh Kedari and Dharam Shinde, who allegedly smuggled marijuana from Odisha and supplied it to Pune and Mumbai. Rajesh expressed his desire to purchase a second-hand lorry container. It is alleged that the two offered to transport marijuana from Odisha in exchange for financial assistance to purchase the vehicle, which Rajesh accepted.

Money Paid for Transport

About four months ago, Rajesh purchased a second-hand lorry container. When he ran out of money, Suresh Kedari and Dharam Shinde provided him with financial assistance of ₹3 lakh. According to police, Anil had been working with the two for the past two years and assisted in transporting marijuana from Odisha to Pune.

On July 7, Suresh and Dharam gave Rajesh ₹1.50 lakh, including ₹70,000 as commission and ₹80,000 for travel expenses.

The consignment of marijuana was received after a two-day wait.

Rajesh was asked to contact Pavitra Kumar Sabar, alias Pitambar Sabar, in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Anil also accompanied him. On July 11, the two arrived in Vijayawada and, after unloading the Finolex PVC pipes at the airport, traveled with Pavitra Sabar to Gunpur village in Odisha's Rayagada district.

The two had to wait for two days as marijuana was unavailable. They were later asked to return to Visakhapatnam and wait for two more days.

The consignment was sent hidden in 10 sacks.

On the night of July 14, Pavitra Kumar Sabar allegedly arrived in a four-wheeler and handed over 237 kilograms of marijuana packed in 10 sacks to Rajesh and Anil. The two accused then departed for Pune via Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, the EAGLE Force stopped them on NH-65 and searched them. During initial questioning, the two men tried to mislead the police, claiming they had only been to Visakhapatnam. However, an examination of the Call Detail Record (CDR) confirmed their visit to Gunpur village in Odisha.

Confessions Made During Interrogation

When the police interrogated the accused, comparing their statements with the CDR findings, they finally admitted to concealing marijuana in the cabin of the lorry container.

According to the police, the EAGLE Force has been monitoring marijuana smuggling from Odisha to various states across the country for the past several months. In the past two months, the agency has seized approximately 1,500 kilograms of marijuana.

Search for the absconding accused continues

A case has been registered against the two arrested accused under Cr. No. 12/2026 at the Rachakonda Narcotics Police Station. The police are now engaged in searching for the absconding accused and uncovering the entire smuggling network.

It is noteworthy that a previous case of marijuana smuggling had also come to light in Sangareddy district, Telangana, where a temple priest was accused of growing marijuana among marigold plants. In that operation, marijuana worth approximately ₹70 lakh was seized.