HYDERABAD: Interstate drug peddler held with opium worth ₹1 crore

HYDERABAD: In a joint operation, the Special Operations Team (SOT), Malkajgiri Zone, along with Keesara police, arrested an interstate drug peddler for transporting opium and poppy straw worth ₹1 crore. The accused, identified as Lokesh Bareth (26), a hotel manager from Rajasthan, was caught near Kundanpally ORR Rotary in the limits of Keesara police station on October 10, 2025.

Police registered a case under Cr. No. 763/2025 under Sections 17(C) and 18(B) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

Peddler brought drugs from Rajasthan

Investigators said Lokesh Bareth, a native of Chittorgarh district in Rajasthan, had lost his job as a hotel manager three months ago. He allegedly joined hands with another suspect, Jagadish Gujjar, who is absconding, to transport opium to Hyderabad, Chennai and other southern cities.

Police said Bareth had earlier delivered 2kg of opium near Kachiguda railway station in August as per Gujjar’s instructions. Following their plan, he boarded a train from Rajasthan on October 8 carrying 7kg of opium and 2kg of poppy straw, packed in a leather bag and briefcase.

At 11.00 IST on October 10, the SOT team intercepted him near Kundanpally and seized the narcotics along with a mobile phone.

Main supplier still absconding

“The main accused, Jagadish Gujjar, who sourced the contraband, is absconding. Efforts are on to apprehend him,” police said.

Appeal to public

Rachakonda police appealed to citizens not to indulge in drug-related activities and to help create a drug-free society. Officials cautioned that offences involving the procurement, sale, or consumption of banned narcotic substances are punishable with up to 10 years’ imprisonment or even the death penalty under Section 31A of the NDPS Act.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of G. Sudheer Babu, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Rachakonda, and P.V. Padmaja, IPS, DCP Malkajgiri, with guidance from A. Ramana Reddy, DCP SOT-I (Malkajgiri & Bhongir), N. Narsimha Reddy, ADCP SOT-I, and C. Anjaiah, ACP SOT-I. The team included Inspectors G. Janaiah, M. Saikumar, and A. Anjaneyulu (Keesara PS).