Kumram Bheem Asifabad police have arrested three persons in connection with the cultivation of banned ganja plants across farms in two remote villages in Sirpur (U) mandal, following a tip-off that prompted targeted raids.
The operation, led by Superintendent of Police Nitika Pant, resulted in the seizure of 460 ganja plants across three separate incidents. The plants were assessed at a total value of Rs 41.2 lakh.
In a statement, SP Nitika Pant identified the accused as Gedem Balaji and Gedem Jayavanth, both from Burnur village, along with Pendur Suryabhanu from Gattuguda village. A fourth person, Kumra Madhav Rao, also from Burnur, was named in connection with the case. The accused were allegedly raising the banned crop as an intercrop within their farms.
The SP issued a clear warning that both cultivation and smuggling of illegal substances would attract stern action as per the law, and said that those found peddling banned substances would not be tolerated. She also appealed to parents, teachers and community members to keep children away from getting addicted to banned substances.
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