HYDERABAD: Police arrest two in drug racket, seize MDMA worth ₹5.5 lakh

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Narcotic Enforcement Wing (H-NEW), along with Chaderghat police, arrested a drug peddler and a transporter in a joint operation on October 1. Officers seized 50 grams of MDMA, ₹830 cash and two mobile phones, together valued at ₹5.5 lakh.

Police booked the case under Sections 8(c), 22(c), 27(A), 27(B) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, at Chaderghat police station (Cr. No. 354/2025).

Drug peddler, transporter in custody

The arrested persons are Mohd Osman alias Abbu, 33, a resident of Bandlaguda, Hyderabad, and Rahul, 23, from Kollam, Kerala, currently staying in Bengaluru.

According to police, Osman dropped out after Class X and turned to peddling after losing his job at a baby store in 2024. He allegedly sourced drugs via Instagram and WhatsApp, purchasing MDMA for ₹2,000 a gram in Bengaluru and reselling it in Hyderabad for ₹8,000–10,000.

Rahul completed a BCA course in Bengaluru in 2024 and briefly worked at a restaurant before leaving the job. Police said he came into contact with drug supplier Ashwin Das Ramanth, a native of Kerala currently in Bahrain, and began transporting drugs for him. Rahul allegedly collected MDMA through “dead drops” in Bengaluru and delivered it to Osman on commission.

Supplier operating from Bahrain

Police said Ashwin coordinated supplies from abroad, instructing Rahul to pick up packages from dead drop locations. Payments were made via UPI and online transfers, with Ashwin also providing QR scanners to Rahul.

Police warning to public

Police warned that educated youth and jobholders frustrated with low incomes are increasingly getting drawn into the drug trade. “Drug abuse ruins health, tears families apart, and fuels crime. Those involved live in luxury at the expense of others’ suffering,” an H-NEW statement said.

The police appealed to parents to monitor their children’s activities and urged citizens to share information on drug abuse by calling 8712661601. Inspector G S Daniel and SI C Venkata Ramulu of H-NEW, along with Chaderghat SHO Brahma Murari Kasani, SI Krishna, and their teams made the arrests.