Thu Nov 07 13:48:05 UTC 2024: ## Anantapur Police Bust 11-Member Ganja Peddling Gang

**Anantapur, November 7, 2024:** Anantapur police have successfully apprehended an 11-member gang allegedly involved in the illicit trade of ganja within the town and surrounding areas. The operation, conducted under the strict supervision of Superintendent of Police (SP) P. Jagadeesh, led to the arrest of the gang members on Thursday.

According to Additional Superintendent of Police D.V. Ramana Murthy, the main accused, Dileep Banka, hails from Koraput district in Odisha. He is suspected to be the mastermind behind the operation, procuring ganja from the neighboring state at a cheaper rate and selling it in Anantapur.

Police investigations revealed that the ganja was transported to Andhra Pradesh in a car and then distributed to other members of the gang in Anantapur at a rate of ₹5,000 per kilogram. The accused subsequently repackaged the drug into smaller packets of 20 grams each, selling them for ₹500 to customers in Anantapur and other parts of the district.

“We are taking action not only against the peddlers but also against those consuming it,” said Additional SP Ramana Murthy, adding that they have counseled the parents of some students caught consuming ganja.

Apart from Dileep Banka, the police arrested S. Vinay Kumar alias Talakaya alias Vinni, Syed Jabbar alias Dubbi, M Ramesh alias Rummy, C. Bhaskar, P. Jayaram, Suresh Babu, Ahmed Farhan, A. Mahendra alias Mahi, Ch. Pradeep, and Timmapuram Imam Basha.

During the raid, police recovered 20 kg of ganja, a car, two bikes, 11 mobile phones, and ₹2,500 from the accused.

Investigations also revealed that Tatrakallu Nethaki, recently arrested for his involvement in the ganja trade, had close ties to the apprehended gang members. He is believed to have played a significant role in the peddling operation.

The Anantapur police are committed to curbing the ganja trade and ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. They have vowed to continue their efforts to dismantle criminal networks and bring offenders to justice.

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