Overview
- Nathavaram police in Anakapalle district intercepted the group near Srugavaram after a tip-off led by Inspector Y. Tarakeswara Rao and a sub-inspector.
- Officers seized 74 kg of dry cannabis along with a car, two motorcycles and several mobile phones during the operation.
- Investigators say the Sheelavathi strain was sourced from tribal areas near Balimela and Chitrakonda on the Andhra–Odisha border via middleman Adduri Prasad at about Rs 5,000 per kg.
- Police detail a logistics chain using a rented house in Narsipatnam and additional rentals in Bengaluru and Coimbatore, with drivers Madhan Kumar and Naga Muttu moving loads to the Rajanagaram highway junction.
- Authorities report supplies moved across Tamil Nadu in small packets and were reportedly pushed to Sri Lanka, with ongoing efforts to trace further participants and verify overseas links.