The smugglers of ganja are eyeing on Nalla Malla Forests these days. Krishna River passes through five districts. On the banks of this river, ganja is cultivated in Mahboobnagar and Kurnool districts. Ganja is being transported to various areas through small wooden boxes.
Smugglers are getting ganja cultivated by the innocent Chenchu Tribals and they are supplying it via Srisailam to other places. Most of the ganja smugglers belong to Kurnool district. The officials of excise department were watching the cultivations of small villages in the area but these smugglers are cultivating ganja in the forest areas near the banks of river Krishna which the excise department is neglecting. Ganja is being cultivated on 25 acres of land in Eaglepenta area of Achampet Mandal. This business is being controlled by a smuggler from Atmakue by using the youths of Chenchu tribals.
Persons involved in this business provide ganja seeds and money in advance to the cultivators. At present, a farm located in Eaglepenta is ready for harvesting. If the officials of excise department neglect it, this crop will be harvested and ganja would be transported to other areas.
Eaglepenta is an area of thick forest on the banks of Krishna River. Smugglers are taking advantage of this thick forest. There was a time when Naxalites used to inhabit this area. At that time, smugglers never used to turn their eyes towards this area. Now that this area is freed from Naxalites, the smugglers are trying their luck. They are getting ganja cultivated in larger areas and earning huge amounts of profit. These smugglers pay Rs 2000 to 250 as the cost of one kg of ganja and they earn lakhs of rupees by selling it in urban areas.
–Siasatnews