Telangana: Cops, excise officials to zero in on drug smugglers

HYDERABAD: A joint crackdown on drug trade and sale in the city, launched by west zone police and the excise department, has led to detaining of around 100 persons from Dhoolpet in Mangalhat. The officials are targeting bulk buyers, local retailers, and drug transporters to curb the drug market in the city. In September, 33 FIRs were issued in Mangalhat, which included 14 bulk buyers and about 40 second-level retailers.

“About 100 individuals, mostly students and youngsters, were caught during our raid last night,” said DCP of West Zone, AR Srinivas, adding that they will be counselled and sent home as they were first-time offenders.

“As many of them are students, we are letting them go. If they are caught again, cases will be booked against them under the NDPS Act and an FIR will be issued,” the official pointed out.

Law and order and excise department officials started their operation from Mangalhat and Dhoolpet as the place is 'a breeding ground for the contraband market’.

“We are trying to establish a supply chain link to cut the inflow of drugs in the city. We have identified the sellers from other cities and have arrested 14 main heads of such operations, including Mohan Singh, Manmohan Singh and Anguri bhai. Then there are the second-level retailers and smugglers who transport the drugs in. We have identified 40 of those who smuggle in huge quantities,” added the official.

A list of ‘first-time offenders’ will be prepared so that it would be easy to trace them if they repeat the offence, excise officials said, adding that they will face problems while applying for visa and passports.

“Drug activity in Dhoolpet was dull for the last 18 months because of lockdown. It has been buzzing for two months. On Wednesday, three FIRs were booked and four kilos of marijuana seized. The operation will be completed within a month,” said the official.