FORMER MAOIST, 2 YOUTH SELL GANJA, HELD

A former Maoist and two youngsters were arrested in Hyderabad for purchasing and selling ganja in two separate cases.

On Monday, a police team from Banjara Hills police station caught Thatla Laxminarsaiah,

54, a resident of Baddam Balreddynagar in Filmnagar when he was selling liquor illegally.

During their search, the police also found ganja in his possession, which was being sold in small packets.

Inquiries revealed that Laxminarsaiah was a former Maoist, who was currently living in Filmnagar.

Banjara Hills sub-inspector Azmeera Ravinder said Laxminarsaiah had surrendered before the police in the year 2000 and was doing petty jobs for a livelihood.

“He was booked twice earlier for selling liquor illegally at his residence. Now, he has been caught with ganja. He was purchasing ganja from his sources and was selling small packets to others,” SI Ravinder said.

The police have booked a case against Ravinder under relevant Sections of the NDPS Act and Excise Act and will produce him before a court for judicial remand.

In another instance, two youngsters from KPHB were caught with

120 gm ganja on Sunday. K. Satish, 20, a driver and Saini Nagesh, 20, an unemployed youth, were nabbed with six packets of ganja each weighing

20 gm. On seeing the police, another person escaped on a bike.

On questioning the duo, police got to know that Bhanu Prakash, a city-resident who was selling them ganja fled from on seeing them. Based on their confession, a case under the NDPS Act was booked and the duo was remanded to judicial custody, police said.