Hyderabad: The Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) and the RNCC Khammam team dismantled a major interstate ganja trafficking network, seizing 847 kilograms of high-grade narcotics worth Rs 4.2 crore in the illicit market and arrested two habitual offenders. The operation is one of the largest and most precise anti-drug actions of this year, targeting a supply corridor running from Malkangiri (Odisha) to Uttar Pradesh via Telangana and Karnataka.

Acting on credible intelligence, a joint team intercepted a Mahindra Bolero pick-up near Shamshabad on the Bangalore National Highway at 5 PM on 04 August 2025. The vehicle, registered in Uttar Pradesh, was transporting ganja sourced from Malkangiri, Odisha, destined for UP via Telangana and Karnataka.

The arrested accused identified as Khilla Dhana (29) and Rajendar Bajing (26).  Khilla Dhana has a criminal history where he was arrested in 2019 for transporting 20 kg ganja (Andhra Pradesh). Suspected in multiple large deliveries (350 kg, 500 kg, 600 kg) to UP in 2025. Known for evading detection and carrying weapons. Another accused Rajendar Bajing was arrested in 2023 for transporting 150 kg ganja (Andhra Pradesh). Served 10 months in jail before bail. He was expert in using rural escape routes.

The Network – Interactions & Modus Operandi

Investigation exposed a tightly knit trafficking chain. According to the police, Ramesh Sukri (absconding) operated as the central coordinator from Malkangiri, linked to both arrested accused through their village network. His associate, Jagadish Kuldeep, procured bulk ganja from cultivators like Shibo alias Shiba and Basu in remote forest areas. The syndicate’s primary buyer, Shaffiq alias Shafi from Uttar Pradesh, placed large-volume orders, provided advance vehicles with UP registration, and handled payments through couriers or layered transfers to obscure the trail.

“Ten days before the bust, Shaffiq travelled to Rajahmundry to personally hand over the Bolero pick-up to Ramesh, instructing that it be loaded with 800 kg of ganja and delivered to UP by handing over at Shamshabad. Ramesh split the order — 600 kg from Shibo and 200 kg from Basu — with Rs 2 lakh advanced to Khilla Dhana to secure the second lot. To reduce risk, Ramesh engaged Rajendar as co-driver, promising Rs 10,000 for his role ", said police in  a statement.

The syndicate’s method was precise: ganja was first moved in small loads from fields to safe village outskirts, then repacked in HDPE bags containing brown-tape-wrapped packets to mask odour. Uniform packaging allowed rapid loading into the vehicle. Drivers used Bangalore NH and ORR bypasses to avoid checkpoints. Handovers were arranged at city outskirts to minimise exposure. Communication was restricted to basic feature phones with fresh SIMs, discarded after trips. For security, Khilla carried a 23-inch sword (Talwar) hidden among the bags. This system had allowed the syndicate to complete multiple large deliveries without interception - until the joint RNCC- EAGLE action ended their run, added police.

The police have seized 847 kg ganja (26 HDPE bags, 411 packets), four wheeler used for transporting the contraband,Two mobile phones and one sword. A Case registered under NDPS Act & Arms Act.