Two arrested with 20 kgs of Rs. 1.2 crore worth hashish oil in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: The Special Operations Team (SOT) LB Nagar Zone, along with Abdullapurmet Police under the Rachakonda Commissionerate, busted an interstate drug trafficking racket and arrested two persons with 20 kilograms of hashish oil. The seized contraband is valued at ₹1.2 crore in the illegal market.
The accused have been identified as Pangi Keshava Rao alias Kesha, 40, a farmer from Kennaraloya village, Theegalavalasa Panchayat, Hukumpeta Mandal, Alluri Sita Ramaraju District, Andhra Pradesh; and Jayaram Khemundu, 26, a tree-cutting worker and civil contractor from Bellguda village, Peata Panchayat, Nanthpur Thana, Koraput District, Odisha. Police also recovered three mobile phones and ₹870 in cash from the duo.
Investigations revealed that both men got involved in the drug trade for financial gain. They were sourcing hashish oil from Krishna, a native of Guntaseema village in Dumbriguda Mandal of the same district and a childhood friend of Keshava Rao. Krishna, who is absconding, is said to be the key supplier and had introduced Keshava Rao to the trade, promising large profits. Jayaram Khemundu later joined through this connection.
According to police, the accused were procuring hashish oil from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha at low prices and selling it in Bengaluru for nearly ten times the cost. They were using Hyderabad as a transit point. Two days before their arrest, a Bengaluru-based buyer placed an order for 20 kilograms of hashish oil. The accused picked up the consignment from Krishna at Hukumpeta and travelled to the outskirts of Hyderabad to deliver it.
Based on a tip-off, the SOT LB Nagar team and Abdullapurmet Police intercepted the accused at Sampoorna Hotel near the Outer Ring Road in Peddamberpet on Wednesday morning while they were waiting to hand over the drugs.
Police stated that it takes around 35 to 40 kilograms of ganja to produce 1 kilogram of hashish oil, highlighting the scale of processing involved in the racket. They are continuing efforts to trace Krishna and the Bengaluru-based buyer, both of whom are absconding. The past criminal records of the arrested persons are also under verification. Keshava Rao was previously arrested in a similar NDPS case by Anakapally Town Police in Andhra Pradesh.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of G. Sudheer Babu, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Rachakonda, and the guidance of K. Manohar, In-charge DCP, LB Nagar, along with MD. Shakir Hussain, Additional DCP, SOT LB Nagar-Maheshwaram.
Rachakonda Police reiterated their focus on dismantling drug networks, disrupting supply chains, and spreading awareness. They urged the public to assist law enforcement by reporting any drug-related activities.