Anantapur: In a major breakthrough against narcotics trafficking, the Anantapur district police have completely dismantled a widespread ganja distribution network, arresting 14 peddlers and seizing nearly seven kilograms of contraband.

The coordinated anti-drug operation was executed under the direct supervision of District Superintendent of Police (SP) P Jagadeesh.

According to officials, the apprehended group comprised one principal kingpin, four repeat offenders with extensive criminal records, and nine localized pushers who managed micro-retail distribution lines across different neighborhoods in Anantapur city. The strategic operation gained rapid momentum following the recent deployment of specialized medical ganja testing kits, designed on the lines of standard drunk-and-drive enforcement checks.

When several suspected individuals tested positive for cannabis consumption during random screening drives, investigators systematically interrogated them to reverse-engineer the supply chain.

This tracking mechanism led authorities to the prime accused, identified as 36-year-old Shikari Suresh, a resident of NTR Colony in Anantapur, who was running the smuggling ring using Guntakal Railway Station as his central transit point. Suresh reportedly purchased the contraband in bulk from an unidentified dealer at Guntakal for approximately Rs 10,000 per kilogram. With the active assistance of his close associates, the bulk haul was smuggled into Anantapur, divided into small loose packets, and sold at highly inflated rates to local addicts and young students. Among those arrested, Shikari Mallappa, Shikari Bharat, Shikari Parashuram, and Shikari Ravi were identified as habitual offenders with pending NDPS, theft, and excise cases.