KAKINADA: Illegal ganja transport continues unabated through Kakinada district, with the Law and Order Police and the Railway Police frequently seizing consignments at various points. Old offenders remain active in the trade even after previous arrests.
In the latest incident, Tuni police arrested Nakkapalli resident Bondada Kodandaram once again along with three others while they were allegedly transporting 125 kg of ganja.
Most cases indicate that the drug is produced in Visakhapatnam district and in Odisha before being supplied to Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Hyderabad, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Vehicles have moved hundreds of tonnes over time. When discrepancies arise, information reaches the police. Otherwise, the consignments often travel undetected. The trade has also been linked to several attacks and murders in the district.
On 5 February, Jaggampeta police seized 162 kg of ganja worth `80 lakh from an auto-rickshaw. The vehicle was coming from Odisha and heading to Sri Sathya Sai district with 80 packets of the narcotic.
Four accused, including two women who posed as passengers, were arrested. On 29 September 2025, police recovered 383 kg of ganja valued at Rs 19.19 lakh at Mukkolu on the outskirts of Rajupalem in Kirlampudi mandal. The car had been fitted with a sticker reading ‘On Govt Duty’ to resemble a government vehicle.
Four accused from Rajasthan fled in cinematic fashion at Jonnada toll plaza under Bheemunipatnam police limits. In November 2025, Kakinada district police, in coordination with the District Drug Disposal Committee, destroyed 8,274.45 kg of dry ganja, 555 grams of liquid ganja and 15 MDMA tablets at K Uppada village in Bheemunipatnam mandal of Visakhapatnam district. The substances had been seized in 107 cases. On 17 September 2026, Tuni town police arrested four accused with 125 kg of ganja and seized Rs 3,41,000 in cash, a car, a passenger auto, two bikes and five cell phones. They had taken a rented house in Tuni for collection and transportation of the drug.
Acting on information from the EAGLE team, Tuni police conducted raids and arrested them. SP G Bindu Madhav said a reward has been announced for information that helps curb the trade. Police stations regularly organise awareness programmes titled ‘Rise Against Ganja’.
He appealed to the public to report illegal trading or transportation and assured that the identity of informers would be kept confidential. Citizens can contact the ganja helpline 1972, the emergency number 112, or the Kakinada Police WhatsApp number 9494933233.