VISAKHAPATNAM: With law enforcement agencies cracking down on the smuggling of dry ganja in parts of Visakhapatnam, East Godavari and Vizianagaram districts, smugglers have changed their focus and are now producing hashish oil (liquid ganja) as an alternative to dry ganja. Unlike dry ganja, hashish oil is easy to conceal and transport.
Parts of Vizag Agency and Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) are among the few locations in the region where locals, with the support of interstate gangs, are producing the contraband. Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) officials are in the process of identifying the kingpins of hashish oil production and smuggling gangs.
Speaking to TOI, assistant enforcement superintendent of SEB, DVG Raju said they recently seized 25 kg of hashish oil and nabbed a smuggler. “The accused said the price of one kg of hashish oil was around Rs 1 lakh and it may cost Rs 5 lakh in bigger markets. We have formed a team to conduct a deeper investigation into the illegal trade,” he added.
“Our investigation revealed that the oil was produced in remote areas of G Madugula mandal in Vizag Agency. The gangs are operating from Maoist-affected areas in the Agency and AOB. They produce the contraband by processing dry ganja using some machinery. We suspect the role of interstate smugglers from Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the illegal business,” Raju added
