Continuing its crackdown on an interstate hemp smuggling network, the Ernakulam Rural Police has arrested the alleged kingpin of the gang from Andhra Pradesh.
The arrested were identified as 26-year-old Pallasasinivas Rao of Andhra Pradesh. District Police Chief (Ernakulam Rural). A special squad formed by Karthik arrested the accused after a three-day campaign in an interior area 300 km from Vijayawada.
A taxi driver with suspected close links in the tribal belt used to be the contact person of the Malayali who reached the area for the accused ganja. The arrangement was such that he would meet potential buyers on the national highway, show samples, and if customers were satisfied with the quality, arrive at a price.
The buyers were supposed to wait at the designated place until the accused returned with their vehicle to fetch them the load. It took the accused hours before returning with a well packed load.
Taking advantage of this arrangement, the police team approached and nabbed the accused under the guise of potential hemp buyers. Although he tried to escape while arrested, the police team chased him. Since there is a Maoist presence in the center of Ganja, arresting the accused from there was risky, police said.
Angamali seizure
The accused is suspected to have played the role of a middleman in the smuggling of thousands of kilograms of hemp into Kerala. 105 kg of hemp was seized from two Angamali KSRTC stands smuggled into Kerala in two premium cars, which led to the discovery of the network. Subsequently, Mr. Karthik formed a special team, which expanded the investigation to other states as well.
During the investigation, the police seized a consignment of excess ganja and arrested seven people actively involved in the network. The investigation allegedly revealed the drug smuggling network in Kerala.
It was found that the tribal belt of Andhra Pradesh used to be the hub of cannabis smuggling in Kerala and the drug network had the support of some locals who were harassed to arrest those involved.
The investigation team also faced attacks at some point. Karthik said, “The arrest of the main accused will help us in busting the network of cannabis supply in Kerala and arrest more people.”
DYSP of Narcotic Cells in Investigation Team. Ashwakumar, Inspector M. Surendran, Sub Inspector TM Sufi, Senior Civil Police Officer Ron Augustine, PS Jamon and Prasad.
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