Four men caught with 91 kilograms of marijuana which was concealed in passenger luggage bags.
| Photo Credit: By Arrangement
A gang from Odisha was arrested with 91 kilograms of marijuana, worth nearly ₹22.75 lakh in Hyderabad, in an inter-state drug smuggling racket that has been using trains as its preferred smuggling route.
The four accused, all residents of Ganjam district of Odisha, were caught by the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) and Railway Police following a tip-off. They were allegedly ferrying the contraband from Odisha to Pune, Maharashtra, concealed in trolleys and backpacks in AC coaches.
The gang was identified as Prakash Chandra Pradhan, 47, Basanta Badatya, 20, Ghansyam Badatya, 33, and Chitrasena Jani, 19.
“The gang sourced marijuana from a supplier named Prashanth in Odisha and transported it in trolleys and backpacks while travelling in AC coaches to avoid detection. On reaching Pune, they delivered the consignments to two receivers identified as Sai Ram and Mommy,” said an officer from EAGLE.
Investigators revealed that the accused had transported drugs more than 20 times over the past year. They were each paid ₹10,000 per consignment and had even begun investing their own money to share in the profits. Apart from the drugs, four mobile phones and other incriminating materials were seized from their possession.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the NDPS Act, and efforts are under way to trace the main supplier Prashanth and other members of the network.
This latest bust adds to the sustained action by EAGLE force, Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP), which has arrested 147 accused and seized more than 2,327 kg of marijuana in 116 cases since 2024, largely on long-distance trains such as the Konark Express, East Coast, LTT, Navajeevan, Godavari and Visakha Express.
Drug-related information can be shared with the EAGLE force through the toll-free number 1908, WhatsApp on 87126 71111, or via email at tsnabho-hyd@tspolice.gov.in. Officials assured that all details will be kept confidential and credible informants will be rewarded.
Published – August 22, 2025 07:29 pm IST
