Under the comprehensive program of Operation Parivarthana, Andhra Pradesh Police destroyed a huge quantity of cannabis worth Rs 500 crore at Koduru village near Anakapalli in Visakhapatnam district on Saturday.

More than 2 lakh kgs of ganja were seized in the last one and a half years to two years at various police stations in North Andhra districts.

The state police took to Twitter terming it a “historic occasion" in the annals of Andhra Police. "An unprecedented 2 La Kgs of seized ganja destruction by #APPolice along with drug disposable committee, special enforcement bureau at Koduru(V), Anakapalli(M), Visakhapatnam District.

The agency area of Visakhapatnam bordering with Odisha, famous as AOB – Andhra Odisha Border, is known for Maoist activity and also notorious for large scale cultivation of marijuana.

The entire programme was captured by the police personnel using drone cameras under strict surveillance.

A CMO spokesperson said the special operation was undertaken to eliminate the cultivation and supply of cannabis as part of the government’s efforts to make the state drug-free.

Operation Parivartan was launched on October 31 last year and between November 2021 to February 2022, the Andhra Pradesh Police have deforested cannabis plants spread across 8,500 acres, before the harvest season.

Under the operation, a total of 1,363 cases were registered and 1,500 people were arrested, out of which 562 people were from other states.