3 arrested with 194 kg cannabis in Anakapalle district

Visakhapatnam: Three men were arrested near Gonnavanipalem junction in Anakapalle district, and 194 kgs of dry cannabis worth around Rs 97 lakh in the market was seized from their possession.Anakapalle district police chief Tuhin Sinha said the accused were identified as Gummala Perunaidu and G Ganesh (driver), both from Bailapudi village under Cheedikada mandal, and M Sattibabu, a native of Gajjedu village under Pedabayalu mandal in ASR district. Perunaidu was accused in six cases of ganja trade in the past.Police said that on May 11 afternoon, police and Elite Anti-Narcotics Group for Law Enforcement (Eagle) teams conducted vehicular check-ups on Bangarumetta-Anakapalle road near Gonnavanipalem under Butchayyapeta mandal. Police intercepted a scooter and a car and, upon checking, found ganja packets in the car. Police seized the cannabis and nabbed the three persons. Further investigation is on to nab.As many as 1,177 kgs of dry cannabis and 7.14 kgs of hash oil were seized in 46 cases so far in 2026, the police added. A total of 24 drug peddlers were sentenced in 13 cases in the year so far, and 16 of them were sentenced to 10-15 years jail, the police added.The police gave orders to conduct investigations into the financial transactions and assets of those involved in the cannabis trade in the district and seized Rs 1.25 crore in illegal assets amassed by the ganja smugglers, they added.