Drug mafia under excise radar ahead of 'New Year' celebrations

Hyderabad: The excise department has started special drives to nab drug peddlers in view of the forthcoming New Year and has also begun keeping watch on peddlers and possible customers. This year, a total of 90 drug cases were booked and 148 peddlers have been arrested so far. The excise officials have also given strict instructions to all bars and pub managements about the consequences if any drugs are found on their premises.

According to sources, eyeing the New Year celebrations, the drug mafia have been importing bulk amounts of drugs. They are mainly targeting the youth from well off families and IT professionals. Last year also, a major drug racket was busted by the Rachakonda police.

The excise sleuths, as part of making Hyderabad a drug-free city, cracked as many as 90 drug cases so far including 84 ganja cases, 5 cocaine cases and one MDMA and LSD case. They seized 181 kgs of ganja and 63 grams of cocaine and 8 grams of MDMA and 75 LSD sachets. They also arrested 148 drug peddlers and seized 45 vehicles used for transportation of drugs.

“We have increased special drives to nab drug peddlers and we have also arrested two drug peddlers in the last two days. We are also watching the movements of the drug peddlers, especially Nigerians who were involved in drug smuggling previously. We have also started keeping a watch on the movements of regular consumers. On New Year’s Day wherever the events are taking place we have issued strict warnings that if drugs are found on their premises stringent action will be taken. We are keeping special focus on party places, peddlers and consumers,” Official P.N.  Anji Reddy said.

Drug peddlers are using social media platforms for wooing customers, especially students from engineering and medicine backgrounds, and then supplying drugs. To escape from the excise sleuths, they are using a code language. “Initially, they are luring the students by providing drugs for free, once the students are addicted to them, they start selling drugs,” the official said.