Cannabis Network Linking Odisha to Sri Lanka Exposed

COLOMBO (News 1st); Indian Police have busted a major cannabis trafficking ring with international links, arresting eight suspects, including a software engineer from Bengaluru, for allegedly running a large-scale operation that stretched from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

Investigators say the gang specialized in smuggling high-quality Sheelavathi strain cannabis, sourced from tribal regions along the Andhra–Odisha border.

This marks the first known case of ganja from this region being pushed into Sri Lanka, according to officials.

Among those arrested is 28-year-old Gade Renuka, a native of Vizianagaram district, described by police as the “lady don” for her extensive control over the network.

Renuka allegedly operated across Payakaraopeta, Narsipatnam, Saluru, and Bengaluru, renting houses to store and distribute cannabis. She and her associate Surya Kalidas reportedly used a rented property in Narsipatnam as a hub for consignments destined for Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.

The breakthrough came after Inspector Y Tarakeswara Rao and Nathavaram Sub-Inspector intercepted the suspects near Srugavaram village, seizing 74 kg of dry cannabis, a car, two motorcycles, and several mobile phones.

Police say Renuka built a sophisticated supply chain, sourcing cannabis from Balimela and Chitrakonda in Odisha at around Rs. 5,000 per kg, with the help of middleman Adduri Prasad.

Drivers Madhan Kumar and Naga Muttu transported consignments to the Rajanagaram highway junction, from where they were routed to Tamil Nadu and smuggled into Sri Lanka. The gang also sold cannabis in small packets locally.

Authorities are now probing deeper to uncover the full extent of the network and identify other operatives involved in the cross-border smuggling racket.