Overview

• Excise officials intercepted a goods van and a car near Paloncha and recovered 106 kilograms of ganja valued at about ₹53 lakh.
• Six firearms were seized — one pistol and five revolvers — along with 40 live rounds, 12 empty magazines, two vehicles, and ₹35,500 in cash.
• Three suspects, identified as Bilal VS, Shyam Sundar, and Kashinandan Santosh, were arrested, while an associate named James from Tiruchirappalli is absconding.
• Officials said the consignment was sourced in Odisha for transport to Kochi in Kerala, and the weapons were procured in Madhya Pradesh.
• Authorities noted it was the first time the Khammam excise team recovered firearms in a ganja case, and the weapons have been handed to Paloncha police for a separate inquiry.