Hyderabad.24.09.2024: The smuggling and sale of ganja chocolates in Hyderabad have been uncovered by the Telangana police and Excise & Prohibition departments, revealing a large-scale operation involving illegal substances being mixed with chocolates.
The Telangana Anti Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) identified 15 companies based in Uttar Pradesh involved in manufacturing these chocolates. Notices have been sent to shut down operations, and legal action is being pursued in Hyderabad.
The issue gained attention when a shopkeeper in Kothur, under the Cyberabad commissionerate, was caught selling ganja chocolates to school children. These chocolates are often marketed as ayurvedic digestive candies and are popular among migrant workers from Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, especially those working at construction sites on the outskirts of the city.
A senior official from the State Task Force noted that these products are widely available in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where small-scale cottage industries manufacture and distribute them under various names. The authorities began cracking down on the sale of ganja chocolates six months ago after noticing an increase in addiction among local youth and children.
Authorities are working to curb the supply of these harmful products and prevent further addiction in Hyderabad.