In Hyderabad, the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) of Cyberabad recently conducted a successful operation. They arrested 14 individuals near the HDFC Bank in the Gachibowli area, breaking a drug network involving over 100 people. The suspects were caught trying to buy Ganja from a dealer from Maharashtra.
The arrested individuals include Naveen (31), an online trader, Ayush (22), a student, Nikhil (29), a racing engineer, Sindura (26), an architect, Hasan (34), a property manager, Kranti (28), an IT worker, Akhil (28), a dental technician, Shiva (32), a business manager, Sandesh (34), a freelance ad agent, Sai Raj (31), a real estate sales executive, another Akhil (26) from a travel agency, Swamy (27), a driver, and Thushar (24) and Arpith (24), both IT employees.
EAGLE discovered the dealer from Maharashtra was a repeat offender selling Ganja in the Gachibowli area. The dealer often targeted IT professionals and private sector workers, conducting sales near the HDFC Bank in Cyberabad.
The dealer transported 5 kilograms of Ganja in 100 packets, each 50 grams, selling them for Rs 3,000 per packet. He used WhatsApp for communication, sending coded messages like “Bhai Baccha a Gaya Bhai” to signal his presence and product availability.
CH Roopesh, SP of EAGLE, explained that on July 12, several undercover teams were deployed around HDFC Bank to catch drug consumers. Within two hours, they apprehended 14 individuals trying to buy Ganja. All tested positive for cannabis using urine tests and were sent to drug de-addiction centers for help.
During the operation, a couple with their 4-year-old son was caught trying to buy Ganja. The woman and child were released, but the husband tested positive. In another case, both a husband and wife tested positive for Ganja use when they attempted to bluff their way out.
Efforts continue to capture the main dealer, Sandeep, from Maharashtra, who escaped during the operation. Ongoing surveillance and operations aim to remove narcotics from the IT corridor and surrounding areas.
EAGLE’s technical teams are examining WhatsApp logs, phone numbers, and digital evidence from the suspects’ phones to map the supply network. They are reviewing a database of over 100 customers to understand the broader drug distribution and demand. CH Roopesh recommended de-addiction for the remaining 86 consumers instead of legal action.
