Woman arrested after evading arrest in 13 ganja trafficking cases

Hyderabad: A woman allegedly involved in a ganja trafficking network that operated in Nanakramguda for nine years and linked to drug transactions worth lakhs of rupees was arrested by the Telangana EAGLE Force after she had been evading arrest in 13 cases.

The suspect, Kalapathi Nithu Bai (51) was apprehended on Friday by the Hyderabad Narcotics Police Station team in coordination with the EAGLE Force Technical Team. She was allegedly procuring ganja in bulk, dividing it into smaller packets and selling them to consumers in and around Nanakramguda.

According to Sandeep Shandilya, Director EAGLE Force, around 30 cases under the NDPS Act and the Prohibition and Excise Act were registered against her and her family members between 2017 and 2026. She was reportedly absconding in 13 cases and despite being arrested and sent to judicial custody on several occasions, she allegedly resumed the illegal business after securing bail.

The official said she had been frequently shifting between Nanakramguda, Gachibowli and Langar Houz and avoided using a mobile phone to escape technical surveillance. She was intercepted while was travelling in an autorickshaw towards Mangalhat and Rs.1,59,500 in cash was seized from her possession.

The police enquiries into the family’s alleged drug trafficking activities resulted in several major seizures in the past. In August 2023, Golconda police apprehended her son while allegedly transporting 22 kg of ganja and searches of properties linked to the family led to seizure of around Rs.40 lakh in cash.

In October 2023, Gachibowli police seized 7.5 kg ganja and Rs.5 lakh during a raid and another operation in March 2024 resulted in the seizure of 22 kg of ganja and Rs.22 lakh.

Financial investigation also brought properties allegedly acquired through drug proceeds under scrutiny and these included two buildings at Langar Houz, a building at Gachibowli and additional construction at the accused’s Nanakramguda residence. Police said in June 2026, during a search at her Nanakramguda residence in connection with a narcotics case, Rs.2.60 lakh suspected to be proceeds from ganja sales was seized in her absence.