Couple held with 12 kg marijuana meant to fund iPhone gift

A 21-year-old man and his 20-year-old girlfriend were arrested by the EAGLE Force near Wyra on Wednesday for allegedly transporting 12 kg of marijuana valued at approximately ₹6 lakh. The contraband was being moved from Odisha to Hyderabad when the interception took place.

The accused, identified as Mitra Chaitanya and Hemalatha, both residents of Peddapalli, had reportedly travelled to Pasupulanka in Odisha and stayed there for five days to procure the drugs. They purchased the consignment from a supplier named Bhagavan Hantal for ₹16,000 before beginning their return journey.

Police said the couple passed through Darakonda, Gurtedu, Maredumilli, Rajahmundry and Sathupalli before reaching Wyra, where EAGLE Force personnel, assisted by local police, attempted to stop them near Wyra Ring Centre. The duo allegedly tried to flee and rammed their motorcycle into officers and a police vehicle, injuring a Sub-Inspector. Both suspects also sustained injuries after falling from the bike.

During interrogation, Chaitanya reportedly confessed that he intended to sell the marijuana in Hyderabad and use the proceeds to buy an iPhone as a birthday gift for Hemalatha. Police recovered the drugs, a Pulsar motorcycle and four mobile phones from their possession.

Investigators said two individuals — Shashi of Karimnagar and MD Nagul, a 25-year-old auto driver from Peddapalli — had agreed to receive and distribute the consignment in Hyderabad. Both, along with supplier Bhagavan Hantal, are absconding.

Chaitanya has three prior cases registered against him under the NDPS Act at Peddapalli police station, the Prohibition and Excise police station in Uppal, and Medchal police station. He was released from jail on April 30 this year. Efforts are underway to trace the absconding accused and dismantle the wider supply network.