Man smuggling marijuana worth ₹90 lakh held in Khammam - The HinduPublished - July 03, 2026 07:04 pm IST - HYDERABADEAGLE team along with the seized contraband and the 31-year-old accused. | Photo Credit: By ArrangementA man transporting 180 kg marijuana worth an estimated ₹90 lakh to Hyderabad was arrested by the Telangana EAGLE Force and Khammam police during a joint operation in Sathupally on Thursday.The arrested accused was identified as Prabin Bhatra, 31, a labourer from Malkangiri district in Odisha. Police said two others, identified as Bhikari alias Rohan, also from Odisha, and Nageshwar, the owner of the vehicle from Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh, are absconding.Acting on specific intelligence, the Regional Narcotics Control Cell (RNCC), Khammam, and Khammam police intercepted a Toyota Etios in front of the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd. at Rejarla in Sathupally. During the search, police found 180 kg marijuana concealed in the vehicle and took the accused into custody.According to the investigation, the contraband was sourced from Malkangiri in Odisha and was being transported to Hyderabad for sale. Police said Bhikari had allegedly promised Bhatra ₹10,000 to transport the consignment and instructed him to make contact after reaching Hyderabad for further delivery. The operation, however, was foiled before the consignment reached the city.Police seized the marijuana, valued at around ₹90 lakh, along with the Toyota Etios used for transportation and a mobile phone. The seized property and the accused were handed over to Sathupally police station, where a case has been registered.Investigators said Bhatra has a previous criminal record and was earlier arrested in a marijuana trafficking case registered at Makavarapalem police station in Andhra Pradesh in 2023. He had served around 10 months in Visakhapatnam Central Jail in connection with that case.Police said efforts are underway to trace and arrest the absconding accused and to further investigate the network behind the transportation of the contraband.Published - July 03, 2026 07:04 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }