Ganja cultivation, trade thriving in 4 Telangana districts

​Adilabad: Ganja cultivation and trade, which yielded a revenue of Rs.3.5 crore during the last ten months, is thriving in the forest areas of Adilabad, Nirmal, Asifabad and Manchiryal districts. It is being grown in hundreds of acres.

This was revealed recently when the Excise department officials conducted raids in the Lohragutta area of Adilabad mandal. Ganja smugglers are found to be active in interior areas, where they are raising plantations, particularly in the forest areas of Thamsi, Talamadugu, Narnoor, Ichoda, Gadihathnoor and Sirikonda mandals.

The Excise raids yielded two quintals of ganja and resulted in the seizure of 3,200 plants worth Rs.30 lakh, according to SI Sarveshwar Nath. He told The Hans India that the department would conduct raids in people give information on ganja trade/cultivation.

Ganja cultivation is found to be heavy in Lingapur village of Sirpur mandal of Asifabad district amid cotton and flower plants as also in some areas of Nirmal districts.

Smugglers after making purchases from farmers at a low rate of Rs.400-500 are able to sell at rates ranging from Rs.3,000-4,000. They are earning crores by selling ganja in adjoining Maharashtra.

However, a resident of Bhainsa Sainath told THI and ganja cultivation in the four districts was widespread mainly because of the indifferent attitude of the Excise department officials.

On the other hand, the department claims that during the last ten months it registered 61 cases and arrested 187 persons.