A manhunt is on for the ambulance driver who has been identified as A Matsya Raju and a smuggler, who fled under the cover of darkness during the operation by Prohibition and Excise officials late last night, he added.
With enforcement squads stepping up raids and seizing contraband, smugglers have developed innovative methods to transport ganja.
Paderu Excise Inspector L Uppendra said that based on a tip-off, they set up a check post near Luvvasingi village under G Madugula to apprehend the smugglers.
After spotting another vehicle of excise officials from the opposite direction near Paderu, the driver stopped the ambulance and fled the spot along with a smuggler.
The excise officials seized the contraband and the ambulance.
It is the first such case in the district when an enforcement squad seized ganja from an ambulance.