Two men from Odisha arrested with 10.32 kg marijuana in Hyderabad

The Afzalgunj police on Saturday, February 14, arrested two inter-State drug peddlers and seized 10.32 kg of marijuana allegedly being transported into the city.

The arrested persons were identified as 60-year-old Ashish Shikdhar and 34-year-old Bhima Jali, both natives of Malkangiri district in Odisha. A third accused, 40-year-old Mouni, also from Malkangiri district, is absconding. Police described Mouni as the alleged drug peddler who arranged the contraband and aided in its transportation.

According to the police, the two accused were apprehended near the Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (MGBS). On checking, officers allegedly found that both of them were carrying packets of marijuana concealed in specially designed vests with multiple inner pockets worn beneath their shirts and jackets.

In addition to the contraband, police seized two mobile phones, two jackets and ₹2,380 in cash. The specially stitched vests used to conceal the packets were also recovered.

Investigators said the accused, who reportedly work as farmers and labourers in Odisha, were allegedly lured by Mouni with an offer of ₹2,000 per kilogram for transporting bulk quantities of marijuana to Hyderabad by bus. Police claimed that on January 29, Mouni had handed over 6 kg of marijuana to the duo, which they allegedly delivered to an unidentified receiver in Hyderabad.

On February 13, Mouni is said to have again given them around 10 kg of marijuana and ₹5,000 in cash to be delivered in Hyderabad. As the alleged receiver did not turn up, they reportedly stayed overnight on the roads near the bus station before being apprehended the next evening.