They asked those performing and attending the pooja to move, only to find paper rolls holding ganja behind the portraits of the gods.

A video of the incident went viral on social media platforms, with netizens exclaiming, “God is Great!” in response to the tricks of the traffickers.

In a strange expression of religious devotion, a man hid ganja behind the images of Hindu deities inside his pooja rooms.He was arrested by the Excise Department’s State Task Force (STF) in Dhoolpet on Friday. pic.twitter.com/NaUGiBLTt7

— The Siasat Daily (@TheSiasatDaily) July 5, 2025

Accused Rohan Singh was performing the pooja as an elaborate ruse to throw officers off the scent of the secrets tucked away in the temple. 

Investigations reveal that the narcotics were trafficked from Odisha and sold in Hyderabad’s prominent IT sectors like Gachibowli and Madhapur in quantities ranging across 5 gms, 10 gms, 15 gms and 20 gms.

The STF reportedly seized 23.5 kilograms of ganja in three separate raids in Dhoolpet. Traffickers from Odisha and Hyderabad were arrested in connection with the same.

Speaking to , excise department Superintendent and Operation Dhoolpet Special Officer Anji Reddy confirmed that two individuals were arrested, with three others involved in the racket absconding.

The arrested individuals have been charged under Section 20 (b) (ii) (b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. Investigations to track the remaining accused are underway.