Inter-State drug peddler held with MDMA and opium worth ₹15 lakh in Cyberabad

The Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE), along with the Cyberabad Police, apprehended an inter-State drug peddler and seized MDMA and opium valued about ₹15 lakh during a joint operation on Wednesday.

The accused, Rajender alias Raju Bhakar, 31, a native of Nagaur district in Rajasthan, and currently engaged in interior designing work, was apprehended by Pet Basheerabad police and the EAGLE Force following sustained surveillance for over a month. Police said he was found in possession of 200 grams of MDMA and 60 grams of opium, apart from a mobile phone. Officials said the seized MDMA quantity was significantly higher than the commercial quantity prescribed under law.

According to investigators, Rajender migrated to Hyderabad several years ago and developed a habit of consuming MDMA and opium. During visits to his native place, he allegedly procured the drugs and later began supplying them to fellow Rajasthani workers employed at construction sites and interior work sites across parts of Hyderabad. Police said each gram was sold for around ₹5,000. His alleged suppliers, based in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, are absconding, and efforts are on to trace them.

Meanwhile, a few consumers were identified as Meghender, 29, a freelance bartender from Manikonda, Tejeshwar, 28, a food and beverages manager from Kukatpally, Sai Prasad, 28, a hotel manager from Ramanthapur, Ramesh, 27, a learning and development manager from Serilingampally, and T. Ravi, 27, employed with the Hyderabad Police Commissionerate, and residing in Begumpet. Police said the accused were former classmates who developed the habit during a social gathering and continued it thereafter.

Officials said further vigilance is being maintained on inter-State drug networks and consumers to curb the spread of narcotics and protect public health.