A temple priest in Panchagam village, Sangareddy district, cultivated 685 ganja plants hidden among marigold flowers within temple premises, disguising illegal narcotics as routine floral offerings. Avuti Nagaiah, 48, posed as a spiritual guide while processing and selling marijuana packets, with DTF Sangareddy raid seizing 17.741 kg dry ganja, 0.897 kg seeds, Rs 30,000 cash, a weighing scale, and a mobile phone valued at Rs 70 lakh.
Police conducted the January 31 operation under DC Medak and District Prohibition Officer supervision, uncovering sophisticated concealment exploiting temple sanctity for commercial drug operations. Nagaiah’s garden masquerade fooled devotees associating marigold cultivation with puja requirements while masking ganja odour and appearance.
Investigators probe distribution networks and accomplices, examining how long the priest exploited archakatva authority for narco-trafficking from bhog-adjacent cultivation zones. Viral raid footage stunned social media users, questioning vigilance when spiritual guides convert puja gardens into illicit plantations.
The case exposes vulnerability when trusted temple functionaries betray custodianship responsibilities, highlighting the need for oversight, preventing sacred premises from becoming narcotics hubs, and undermining community faith.
Telangana police arrested Sangareddy district priest Avuti Nagaiah on January 31 for cultivating and distributing ganja worth Rs 70 lakh from temple premises, hidden among marigold plants, in a case exposing exploitation of religious authority for narcotics trafficking.
