Three arrested, ₹33 lakh worth marijuana seized in Nalgonda

Three persons were arrested and over 60 kgs of marijuana worth ₹33 lakh was seized by Excise officials at the Patangi tollgate in Nalgonda district on Wednesday.

The accused were identified as Gangabai Panduranga Chouhan, Kamal Arjun Mothe, both from Maharashtra, and Vallapu Dasu Venu Kumar, a resident of Nalgonda.

According to officials, the consignment was being transported from Berhampur in Odisha to Maharashtra. The accused allegedly used an autorickshaw and travelled along with women to avoid suspicion while moving the contraband.

Acting on a tip-off, the excise teams intercepted the vehicle at the toll gate and seized the marijuana. The accused were taken into custody and later handed over to the Ramannapeta excise station. The operation was carried out by teams led by Ramannapeta Excise Circle Inspector R. Baloji Naik and Mothkur Excise Circle Inspector K. Ravichandra Reddy along with their staff.

Officials said further investigation is underway to identify others involved in the smuggling network.