Lack of surveillance in trains turning boon for ganja smugglers, say police

Hyderabad: The lack of surveillance in trains has turned out to be a blessing in disguise for those smuggling ganja into the state in small quantities, said Telangana police.
Police claim that crack down on ganja supplies entering state through other means had led to a drastic decrease in activity and had kept gangs at bay. However, now individual players are increasingly transporting ganja through trains.With the availability of direct trains from ganja-growing areas in AP and Odisha to the city, it has become easier for them to transport the drug, say cops.
According to officials, there is very tight surveillance on ganja movement through road by multiple agencies including the Telangana state anti-narcotics bureau (TSNAB), task force, special operations teams, local police, prohibition & excise department, and also the narcotics control bureau (NCB).
Several teams are also cracking down on these supplies in the districts and at state borders, making it difficult for gangs. However, small players who operate individually are still having a safe run.
“People bringing ganja in small quantities of up to 5kg are transporting them in trains and supplying them in different parts of the city. Persons caught with ganja recently in Cyberabad and Hyderabad commissionerates have taken the train route,” said police, while attributing it to the lack of surveillance in trains. “We have strengthened our information network and are focusing on trains passing through the ganja cultivation areas in AP & Odisha to nab the transporters,” Railway police personnel said.