Fatal Car Crash Probe Leads to Ganja Smuggling Racket, 1 Held

Nellore: A fatal road accident in Prakasam district led to the discovery of an alleged ganja smuggling operation for which police arrested one person and seized 19 kg of contraband.

The case registered at Gudluru police station arose from an accident that took place near Veerepalli-Mocherla on NH-16 on March 14. As a result of a car crashing into a car carrying workers at Kavali State Hospital, two brothers lost their lives, one at the scene and the other later, and six siblings were injured.

During the investigation, police discovered that the occupants of the vehicle fled, leaving suspicious bags behind in nearby bushes. The bags were later found to contain around 19 kg of ganja worth around Rs 1.9 lakh.

Police said the accused were allegedly transporting marijuana from Odisha to Chennai for sale. The arrested person, 21-year-old Tarimella Saikumar, a Chennai native, was reportedly driving the vehicle. The consignment is believed to have been assembled near Edlapadu before being transported.

Special teams led by Kandukur DSP Balasubrahmanyam tracked down and captured Saikumar near Mocherla village. An investigation has been registered against him under relevant sections of the BNS and NDPS Act and efforts are on to nab the remaining accused.