Attacked by rivals, woman ganja peddler from Andhra Pradesh held

The woman, identified as Renuka (23) of Chikkala in Andhra Pradesh is wife of Devasagayam, a notorious ganja smuggler and a resident of Chetpet, said police.

According to police, Renuka reached Sholinganallur from Visakhapatnam carrying the consignment on a private bus around 8.30 am. During the travel, she apparently befriended another person, who was on the way to the city in search of a job. 

Meanwhile, Devasagayam’s rival in ganja business, Nirmal, who was waiting at the bus stop allegedly tried to snatch the contraband from her. However, she escaped from him and went to the Semmanchery police station along with her new-found friend.

Immediately, Nirmal called the Police Control Room and informed them that the woman who sought shelter at Semmanchery police station had ganja hidden in her baggage. The police station concerned was alerted, but the officers reportedly let her go after checking just one of her bags. 

“Renuka told them she was from Andhra Pradesh and she got down at Sholinganallur instead of Porur. Following this, she was sent in an autorickshaw along with her friend,” said police sources.

However, Nirmal and his gang followed her to Porur around 1 pm and once again tried to snatch the consignment from her. After she shouted for help which brought passers-by to her aid, Nirmal cut Renuka’s chin with a blade and escaped from the spot. On information, Porur police visited the spot and handed her over to Valasaravakkam police as the scene of crime falls under their jurisdiction. 

Renuka was admitted to a hospital in Porur and got seven stiches. After she gained consciousness, police asked her keys for her other bag and she was reluctant to provide it. Finally, when police managed to open the bag, there was about 60 kg of ganja hidden in it. Police seized the contraband and arrested the woman. 

Police are investigating whether Renuka went to Sholinganallur to meet Nirmal. Police sources told DT Next that the case could be transferred to the Narcotics Control Bureau, as they felt there could be a larger gang involved in the incident. 

Renuka’s accomplice was let off after interrogation as he was found visiting Chennai to find a job and had tagged along with her because she promised lodging in the city.