Hyderabad: The Commissioner’s Task Force, West Zone Team, along with SR Nagar Police, apprehended two persons for allegedly possessing 70 kilograms of dry ganja worth approximately ₹35 lakh. Two mobile phones were also seized from their possession.
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Maniel Dalabhera (30) – A farmer from Gajapati district, Odisha.
- Ismail Raita (48) – A fitter working at a company in Medchal, Hyderabad, originally from Gajapati district, Odisha.
According to police, Maniel Dalabhera allegedly cultivated ganja on agricultural land in his native village in Odisha due to financial distress. Ismail Raita, who had migrated to Hyderabad for employment, was reportedly influenced by a relative to sell the contraband in the city.
Police said Ismail sourced customers from Dhoolpet and allegedly supplied ganja in the Medchal area on multiple occasions.
Officials have urged youth and the general public to stay away from drugs and to report any drug-related activities by dialing 100, stressing the need for collective efforts to make Hyderabad drug-free.