Five arrested as excise officials seize ganja, cannabis products and non-duty paid liquor in Hyderabad

Five individuals were arrested in separate operations by the Excise officials across Hyderabad on Wednesday, leading to the seizure of ganja, cannabis-based products and non-duty paid liquor.

In the first operation, the State Task Force (STF) arrested three individuals and seized 1.5 kilograms of ganja near Salar Jung Museum following specific information that the substance was being sold in the locality. During the inspection, officials also recovered three knives along with the contraband.

Accused Sabas Khan, Syed Mahbub Ali and Mohammad Numan were arrested in connection with the case. Officials said cases have also been registered against Sheikh, Sameer, Sayab, Arjeez, Majeed and Alok.

Excise officials said the gang was currently being run by Sabas Khan. During questioning, the accused revealed that the group had several rivals and was carrying knives for protection. The knives were also reported to the police, who registered a separate case.

In another case, STF officials seized 1.3 kilograms of cannabis-based pellets or bhang and 200 grams of cannabis chocolates during raids conducted at a house in Chudi Bazaar and Shankar Bazaar areas. Acting on a tip-off, the team searched the residence of Lavakush Sharma, a native of Uttar Pradesh. Along with him, another accused, identified as Bhanu Pratap was also arrested, and both were handed over to the Dhoolpet Excise station for further probe.

According to officials, the accused were manufacturing ganja in the form of small ruby-like pellets and marketing them as bhang in an attempt to evade detection. The pellets were reportedly being sold at ₹100 each.

In a separate operation, STF-D seized 35 non-duty paid liquor bottles that had allegedly been brought to State by air from Delhi and Goa. The bottles were detected during vehicle checks at Pahadishareef and were subsequently handed over to the Meerpet excise station. Further investigation is under way in all three cases.