Inter-State drug network busted in Hyderabad, ₹13.24 lakh narcotics seized

The Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing (H-NEW) and the Hussainialam police have arrested two men in a joint operation and seized an assortment of drugs valued at ₹13.24 lakh. The operation, conducted on July 30 near Murgi Chowk in Hussainialam, was based on specific intelligence input.

The accused have been identified as Mohd. Saif, 31, a resident of Babri Alawa in Charminar, and Sameer Babubhai Waghela, 25, from Kurla West, Mumbai. Police recovered 120 grams of hydroponic marijuana, five grams of cocaine and 27 LSD blots from their possession. Two mobile phones and a Maruti Suzuki Baleno car, allegedly used in the offence, were also seized.

According to the police, Saif is alleged to have procured the drugs from an absconding supplier, identified as Aditya, based in Mumbai. Sameer was allegedly responsible for transporting the contraband to Hyderabad. Saif then distributed the drugs to consumers in the city through his local network, charging inflated prices to earn a profit. The arrests are part of a larger investigation into an inter-State drug supply chain.

The H-NEW is the specialised narcotics enforcement unit of the Hyderabad police. The recent operation was carried out with the assistance of the Hussainialam police, reflecting a coordinated approach to tackle drug trafficking in the city. Hydroponic marijuana, commonly known as 'OG', refers to cannabis cultivated without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in a water-based medium.

This method of cultivation often results in higher concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive component of cannabis. LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is a hallucinogenic drug usually taken on small paper squares known as blots. Cocaine is a stimulant with high addictive potential, associated with a range of health risks. The combined use of these substances can lead to severe medical and psychiatric complications. According to estimates, the street value of the seized drugs is based on prevailing illicit prices in the Hyderabad market.

The police said Saif, who worked as a driver, was also using the substances. He has two previous criminal cases registered against him at the Abids and Afzalgunj police stations under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigators are now working to trace Aditya and identify other members of the inter-State drug supply network.

Drug trafficking offences in India are generally prosecuted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The law prescribes penalties that scale with the quantity of the contraband confiscated. In this case, the combined value of the drugs and the alleged inter-State network suggest a serious enforcement action.

The Hyderabad police have appealed to the public to share any information relating to drug trafficking with H-NEW or the nearest police station. They assured citizens that the identities of informants would be kept confidential. The police also urged parents to remain vigilant about their children's activities and to educate them on the dangers and legal consequences of drug abuse. The arrested men are expected to be produced before a court on August 1, where investigators will seek their remand for further questioning.

The bust reflects the coordinated efforts of multiple police units to dismantle drug networks operating across state borders. Hyderabad police have reiterated their commitment to acting against all those involved in the illegal drug trade, and have called upon citizens to play an active role in this effort.