Caught smuggling ganja, several Malayalis languish in Andhra jails

Thrissur: The Excise Department has revealed that several Malayali youth are presently imprisoned in Andhra Pradesh for their involvement in ganja smuggling cases. Reports suggest that more than 15 persons from Kerala are currently detained in jails across various districts of the state.

The details regarding those in Andhra jails came to light during a investigation conducted by the Kerala Excise Department. According to excise officials, those lodged in Andhra jails were caught during vehicle inspections conducted as part of  election procedures.

Following the election, Kerala Excise was informed about a significant surge in ganja smuggling. Following this, the department decided to closely monitor persons with a history of involvement in smuggling. As the investigation progressed, it became apparent that a considerable number of these persons had mysteriously disappeared. Further investigation uncovered that many were being held in different prisons across Andhra. Even though the Andhra police notified their families about the arrests, they chose to keep this information a secret.

Currently, those who are in Andhra jails are predominantly under 25 years of age. It is reported that most of them hail from Thrissur and Ernakulam districts. Excise officials have acknowledged that the number is likely to increase. 

Besides smuggling, many Malayalis are involved in operating ganja farms in Andhra Pradesh. Excise officials said that Malayalis, facing charges in different cases, are also concealing their identities by working as labourers on these ganja farms.