Bengaluru | December 31, 2025 | Behind the glitter of the IT sector, investigators have uncovered a well-organised criminal conspiracy, arresting a 28-year-old software engineer from Bengaluru as the alleged kingpin of an interstate and international ganja trafficking racket. The accused, Gade Renuka, is alleged to have managed the supply of high-quality ‘Sheelavathi’ strain ganja from the Andhra–Odisha border, routing consignments through Tamil Nadu and onward to Sri Lanka. A total of eight accused have been taken into custody in the case.
According to the police, this is being viewed as the first major known case of ganja trafficking from the Andhra–Odisha region to Sri Lanka, raising serious concerns for enforcement agencies dealing with narcotics and cross-border crime.
Action near Nathavaram, 74 kg ganja seized
The operation was triggered after police at Nathavaram received specific intelligence inputs. Acting swiftly, multiple teams intercepted a vehicle near Suryakailasa. A search led to the recovery of 74 kilograms of ganja, along with one car and two motorcycles. Interrogation of those apprehended at the spot gradually revealed the structure and reach of the larger network.
How the network operated: From tribal belts to sea routes
Investigators said the racket was allegedly run by Renuka along with her close associate Surya Kailash. The ganja consignments were sourced from tribal regions such as Balimela and Chitrakonda in Odisha, areas known for the cultivation of high-potency cannabis.
To manage logistics and avoid detection, the accused had rented a house in Narsipatnam, which functioned as a coordination hub for storage, packaging and onward movement. Members from Bengaluru and Coimbatore were reportedly recruited to handle transportation, coordination and network expansion.
Middlemen were used to move consignments discreetly, while drivers were instructed to use specific highway routes designed to evade routine police checks.
Route extended from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka
Police said the consignments were first transported via the Rajapalayam highway junction into Tamil Nadu. There, the ganja was broken down into smaller packets before being forwarded. Investigators have also found evidence suggesting that the gang established contact with marine smugglers, enabling consignments to be ferried across the sea to Sri Lanka, giving the operation an international dimension.
Who is ‘Lady Don’ Renuka
Gade Renuka, a native of Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh, had been working as a software engineer in Bengaluru. Investigators allege that she leveraged her technical skills, organisational ability and network of contacts to build and manage the trafficking operation.
Her strong control over the supply of the Sheelavathi strain along the Andhra–Odisha belt reportedly earned her the nickname ‘Lady Don’ within the criminal network.
Focus on cross-border links and money trail
Officials said the investigation has now shifted focus to financial transactions, foreign linkages, and maritime routes used for trafficking. Agencies are attempting to trace how the proceeds of crime were laundered and identify contacts in Sri Lanka who facilitated the final leg of the operation.
More arrests likely
Police sources indicated that the current arrests may represent only one segment of a much larger network. Analysis of digital devices, call records and transport routes is ongoing, and further arrests cannot be ruled out.
The case underscores how organised crime syndicates are increasingly using professional backgrounds and technical expertise to mask illegal activities. Investigators describe the bust as a significant breakthrough in the fight against interstate and international narcotics trafficking.
