VIJAYAWADA: As the Vijayawada police have intensified inspections at all entry points of the city and tightened the noose around drug peddlers, ganja dealers have now resorted to transporting the illegal drug through APSRTC buses. In two similar cases reported in November alone, the Patamata police have arrested nine persons who used the state-run buses to transport the drug and seized around 200 kg of ganja from them.
“It was not expected that peddlers will start using RTC buses to transport ganja. When we received some information regarding the issue, we intercepted buses at Ramavarappadu Junction, arrested the accused and seized the drug,” a senior police official said on the condition of anonymity. To escape suspicion, the peddlers generally pose as couples and, to contain the odour of the substance they carry, they tightly pack it in paper and plastic sheets, the official added.
On November 3, Patamata cops intercepted a RTC bus which was on its way to Vijayawada from Visakhapatnam and arrested three persons belonging to Maharashtra. In a similar incident, the police arrested six persons, including three women, for carrying the substance in a state-run bus on November 27.
“In both these cases, the accused chose RTC buses for transporting ganja. Generally, direct parties (peddlers) use cars, lorries, vans and other private vehicles for transportation. During investigations, we have found that youth and women are being lured into the business by dealers who promise them high commission for delivering the drug,” the official added.
In this regard, the APSRTC was asked to keep vigil on its passengers and inform police if they came across suspicious activities. “Bus drivers and conductors have been requested to check luggage of suspicious passengers,” the police officer said.The cops suspected trains were also being used for illegal transportation of ganja.