EAGLE Force arrests inter-State cocaine peddler and two associates in Kondapur, seizing 32 grams during a raid

The EAGLE Force, Telangana, in coordination with the Gachibowli Police, arrested an inter-State drug peddler and his two associates during a raid in Kondapur on Monday (February 16). The team seized 32 grams of cocaine during the operation.

The accused, arrested from Venkataramana Residency, were identified as 24-year-old Vegesna Murali Krishnam Raju, a resident of Kondapur, 28-year-old Bhupathiraju Chiranjeevi Varma, a private employee residing in KPHB, and 37-year-old Rudraraju Hemanth Raju, a businessman from Vijayawada. All three were natives of West Godavari district.

According to officials, Murali Krishnam Raju discontinued his engineering studies due to financial constraints and worked in Uttarakhand, Pune and Goa. “He later began consuming drugs and allegedly turned to peddling cocaine to fund his expenses. He initially sourced cocaine locally in Hyderabad before shifting to suppliers in Goa and Bengaluru after his earlier contact was arrested,” said an officer from EAGLE.

Investigators stated that he procured cocaine at ₹7,000 per gram and sold it for up to ₹12,000 per gram. He allegedly used encrypted messaging applications over Wi-Fi to communicate with customers and adopted a ‘dead drop’ method for delivery. Payments were routed online through bank accounts of acquaintances before being transferred to him.

Police said one of his associates in Bengaluru helped procure cocaine and transport it to Hyderabad through private bus services. The second accused, Chiranjeevi Varma, allegedly purchased cocaine from Murali Krishnam Raju and shared his contact with prospective buyers. Hemanth Raju, the third accused and cousin of the main accused, recently began consuming cocaine, the officer added.

All three accused tested positive for cocaine consumption. Police identified 15 consumers during the investigation and stated that further action would be taken against those involved in the procurement and distribution of the banned substance.

A private bus transport operator and its driver, who allegedly facilitated the movement of cocaine from Bengaluru to Hyderabad, have also been named as accused. A bike taxi rider who reportedly transported the contraband from the bus to the main accused has similarly been booked.

Further investigation is underway to trace and apprehend other persons linked to the network.