80 kg cannabis recovered from car, two arrested in major bust in Andhra Pradesh

Police intercepted a Karnataka-registered car near Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh and seized around 80 kg of cannabis. The case has triggered a wider probe into the narcotics source, network links and two absconders.

In Short

• The vehicle was stopped at the I.T.I. checkpoint bound for Visakhapatnam
• Checks were led by police during routine vehicle inspection operations
• Two of the four occupants fled as officers moved in

A major cannabis smuggling attempt was foiled near Araku valley in Andhra Pradesh after police intercepted a Karnataka-registered car carrying around 80 kilograms of cannabis during a routine vehicle inspection, officials said.

The vehicle was stopped at the I.T.I. checkpoint while heading towards Visakhapatnam during checks led by Sub-Inspector Malleswarao. As officers moved in, two of the four occupants fled, while two Karnataka residents, identified as Kasim Sharif and Saibu Ali, were arrested.

A thorough search of the vehicle uncovered several gunny bags packed with the contraband in the trunk. Police seized the cannabis, impounded the car and recovered two mobile phones, which have been sent for forensic examination.

A case has been registered and an investigation is underway to trace the source of the narcotics, uncover the wider smuggling network and identify the two absconding suspects.

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