Three inter-state ganja transporters were arrested by the South-East Zone Task Force and Bandlaguda police on Friday while attempting to sell over 25 kilograms of dry marijuana. The seized contraband, weighing 25.612 kilograms, is valued at ₹3.9 lakh.

Acting on a tip-off, the joint team intercepted a carat Bandlaguda X Road and detained the three accused. They were identified as Mohammad Shameerulla Baig, 35, Bodugu Rajesh, 26, and Sonkavalli Naresh, 29, all residents of Rajahmundry in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.

According to the officer from the Task Force, Shameerulla and Rajesh were former business partners that ran into losses. Facing mounting debts, they decided to make quick money through the illegal drug trade, roping in Naresh to help with transport and sale.

On July 22, the trio procured 25 kilograms of marijuana from a man named Ramu from Rajahmundry, reportedly paying ₹1.85 lakh for the consignment. They planned to sell it at higher rates to a buyer in Hyderabad, identified as Shiva. Both Ramu and Shiva are currently absconding.

Apart from the contraband, police seized the car used in the transport, four mobile phones, a laptop, and ₹3,000 in cash.