In a significant crackdown on narcotics, the Nallapadu police in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur district arrested eight individuals and confiscated over three kilograms of ganja during a raid conducted on Saturday. The operation has exposed a local drug peddling network with supply links to the neighbouring state of Odisha.
The Prime Accused and the Modus Operandi
The mastermind has been identified as Muppiri Subba Rao (38), a daily-wage labourer from Nagarampalem who is also a history-sheeter with a prior murder case. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police G Bhanodaya, Subba Rao, who is addicted to alcohol and cannabis, recently escalated his involvement by procuring ganja in bulk quantities from Odisha for resale in the local market.
He forged connections with three accomplices: Vemula Yohan (20), Sheikh Shafi (40), and Gajulavarthi Harshavardhan (22). Together, the quartet travelled from the Vijayawada railway station to Berhampur and then to Alsandhapur in Odisha approximately a month ago. There, they purchased a total of six kilograms of the contraband at a rate of ₹2,000 per kilogram.
Upon their return, Subba Rao kept four kilograms for himself, while Shafi and Harshavardhan were given one kilogram each to sell independently within their circles.
The Raid and Subsequent Arrests
The police, acting on surveillance, caught Subba Rao and his associates red-handed while they were attempting to sell ganja near Pedapalakaluru Road in Guntur on Friday. A swift raid led to their immediate arrest and the recovery of 3.120 kilograms of the substance from their possession.
Further investigation led the police to detain four more individuals who were regular customers of the racket. Sheikh Imran (19), Sheikh Shareef (25), Nimmagadda Venkatesh (26), and Sheikh Asif (20) had allegedly been purchasing ganja from the accused for the past six months. They were arrested while buying small packets, leading to an additional seizure of 75 grams.
Authorities noted that several of those arrested have prior criminal histories, including cases related to attempted murder and violations under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Police Crackdown and Public Appeal
All eight accused have been remanded to judicial custody. The crackdown has prompted senior police officials to order intensified surveillance across the district to curb the narcotics trade. Guntur Superintendent of Police Vakul Jindal has directed strict measures, while DSP Bhanodaya issued a stern warning of severe legal action against anyone involved in drug peddling or consumption.
In a public appeal, the police have urged citizens to report any information related to narcotics activity immediately by dialling the emergency number 112. This case highlights the ongoing efforts by Andhra Pradesh police to dismantle interstate drug supply chains and arrest key operatives fueling addiction at the local level.
