VISAKHAPATNAM: In an attempt to stop ganja smugglers in their tracks, Excise and Prohibition officials will set up 10 exclusive checkposts in the agency area of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and East Godavari districts. Director of Enforcement Prohibition and Excise, Andhra Pradesh, K Venkateswara Rao disclosed it to newsmen in Visakhapatnam on Friday.
Addressing newsmen, Venkateswara Rao said that the excise department had prepared a plan covering all major routes from the agency areas leading to National Highway in the three districts. “There are cases where ganja smugglers shift the contraband by going on foot. But even in that case, they have to board a vehicle at a point. Keeping in view all these, we have prepared a plan and 10 checkposts would be coming up,” he said, adding, “For the checkposts, required staff and other infrastructure would be provided.”
Meanwhile, Venkateswara Rao also said that ganja farms destruction programme by the excise department, till date from Oct 31, they destroyed around 1.05 crore ganja plants which are spread over 2,013 acre in the agency areas of Paderu, Pedabayalu, Chintapalle, and a few other mandals with the help of drones and satellite images.
“This is the time, when the yield of ganja crop will be more and the excise department has started campaigns from September itself. According to an estimate, around `2,000 cr worth illegal amount through ganja smuggling was arrested,” he added.
The excise officials had a meeting with the owners of various transport companies from in and around the agency area of Visakhapatnam at the district police office on Friday. They explained to them about the NDPS Act, where the owners could also face dire consequences if their vehicle was used by any ganja smuggler to transport the hemp. According to Venkateswara Rao, about 180 vehicles were seized in the last three years, after they were caught transporting ganja.