Over 100 kg Ganja, Weapons Seized in Khammam Raid

Speedy Summary

• An excise enforcement team in Khammam seized 106 kg of ganja, valued at ₹53 lakh, and deadly weapons during an operation targeting a gangster network.
• Seized items included narcotics, ₹35,500 in cash, one pistol, five revolvers, 40 live rounds, and 12 empty magazines.
• The bust occurred near Lakshmidevipally village in Palwancha mandal; three men arrested: Bilal (aged 30), Shyam Sundar (30), and Kashinandan Santosh (31).
• A fourth accused named James from Tiruchirappalli remains at large.
• Weapons reportedly sourced from Bhopal; ganja procured from odisha for transport to Kochi.
• Bilal has over 100 cases against him with prior convictions amounting to 28 prison terms; other suspects also have extensive criminal backgrounds.
• Seized firearms handed over to police for further examination.

Indian Opinion Analysis

This drug-and-arms seizure in Khammam highlights the growing intersection between narcotics trade and organized crime networks spanning multiple states. The cache of weapons signals escalating sophistication among criminal groups that pose not only public health risks but grave law enforcement challenges. Coordination between state agencies-from Odisha’s source regions to Kerala’s intended markets-will likely be pivotal as such multi-state operations become more frequent.

While this case underscores the Prohibition and Excise department’s vigilance, cracking down on supply chains requires thorough collaboration among central and state enforcement units. Additionally, recovering illegal firearms adds another dimension of concern regarding availability of weaponry within India’s black market economy. As authorities intensify investigations into both narcotics trading routes and arms proliferation mechanisms tied to this case, it may shed light on wider systemic vulnerabilities demanding attention across borders.

Published: August 21, 2025 | Photo Credit: By Arrangement
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