The Kankipadu police on Monday (August 24, 2026) arrested seven students for allegedly procuring ganja in exchange for stolen bikes in the Visakhapatnam Agency area and along the Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB).

The accused, natives of Punadipadu village and the neighbouring areas in Krishna district, were studying degree first and second year and intermediate, said Gannavaram Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) K. Dharmendra.

“The modus operandi of the accused was to visit the tribal villages in Visakhapatnam Agency area and along the Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) in guise of picnics and procure ganja by exchanging stolen bikes,” the DSP said.

To avoid suspicion, the accused had stolen bikes at different places in Krishna, East Godavari, and other places.

The accused offered a bike worth ₹1.50 lakh to the supplier for just 5kgs of ganja, and enjoyed the contraband with friends, said Kankipadu Circle Inspector B. Ravi Kumar.

“The gang visited the tribal habitations several times in Visakhapatnam Rural district for procuring ganja, but told their parents that they were going to Araku for a jolly trip. Police seized four bikes, about 7kgs of ganja and mobile phones from the accused,” the DSP said.

Mr. Ravi Kumar appealed to the parents to monitor the movement of their children, their friends circle and availability of money. “The gang was now using ganja for personal consumption, and were planning to sell the remaining stock to their friends. Efforts are on to trace the suppliers,” the DSP said.