Hyderabad police cracked a major drug peddling operation in Madhura Nagar, arresting three individuals and seizing 41.1 kg of ganja along with cash worth Rs 18 lakh.
The arrested are Bala Hantal, an interstate ganja supplier from Odisha; Srinivasulu, a resident of Kukatpally, Andhra Pradesh; and Abhishek, a delivery agent.
Investigations revealed that Bala cultivated ganja in Odisha and supplied it to peddlers in neighboring states. He also occasionally purchased ganja from another supplier, Kalyan Roy, also from Odisha.
Srinivasulu, formerly working in the IT sector, became involved in drug peddling after financial losses due to online gaming addiction. He initially sold small quantities at Rs 1,000 per 30 grams and Rs 2,000 per 50 grams, later scaling up to bulk sales at Rs 40,000 per kilogram in Hyderabad.
Abhishek, previously employed in a clothing store, joined as a full-time delivery agent, earning commissions per packet sold.
Acting on a tip-off, the Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing (H-NEW), in coordination with Madhura Nagar police, conducted the raid on February 25, recovering drugs, Rs 18 lakh cash, and three mobile phones.
The accused have been charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and further investigation is underway to trace the supply network.
