Two inter-state drug peddlers were arrested by the Special Operations Team (SOT), LB Nagar Zone, in coordination with Nagole police. Police seized 23.02 kgs of marijuana worth ₹11.51 lakh, which was allegedly being transported from Odisha to Hyderabad for sale.
The accused were identified as Trinath Nirike, 40, a driver from Surumi village in Nandapur of Koraput district, Odisha, and Sona Hunthal, 28, another driver from Kumarput village in Lampthapur, also in Koraput.
Acting on credible information on August 11, police intercepted two vehicles during vehicle checking at a petrol station near Nagole X Road. The vehicles were allegedly transporting marijuana from Odisha to Hyderabad.
Malkajgiri police commissioner B. Sumathi said that the accused were friends and had planned to supply marijuana due to financial problems. They allegedly brought the contraband from Odisha along with a person identified as Kammu, a resident of Mallipada village in Lamtaput, to sell it to customers in Hyderabad.
“They transported the marijuana in two vehicles on Kammu’s directions and concealed it in the vehicles. Four packets were recovered from the boot of a Toyota Innova bearing registration number AP 31 AJ3312, while two packets were recovered from the boot of a Mahindra XUV 300 bearing registration number OD 05 AX 5899,” explained the officer.
Apart from the 23.02 kg of marijuana, police seized two mobile phones and the two vehicles allegedly used for transporting the contraband.
The alleged supplier, Kammu, is absconding. Police said efforts were underway to identify and apprehend other persons involved in the supply chain. The investigation is continuing.
Published – August 17, 2026 07:20 pm IST