Hyderabad: Jail-formed friendship fuels ganja trade, two arrested in separate raids

Hyderabad: A case has been registered against three individuals in two separate incidents, with two suspects arrested and cannabis worth Rs. 3.5 lakh seized in Hyderabad.

Sheikh Mahbub Alam, a resident of Dammaiguda, was previously incarcerated in Cherlapalli Jail after being involved in an attempt to murder case. During his time in jail, he formed an acquaintance with Kampalli Tirupati, a resident of Vijayawada, who was imprisoned for a cannabis-related offence.

Following Tirupati's advice, Mahbub Alam became involved in the cannabis trade to support his three wives and children. Upon his release, Mahbub Alam started selling ganja in the Dammaiguda area of Keesara mandal, along with several other individuals.  The Ghatkesar Excise Police, acting on a tip-off, arrested Nawabu Khan, another individual involved in selling ganja.

A raid on Nawabu Khan's house resulted in the seizure of 230 grams of ganja. When questioned, Nawabu Khan named Mahbub Alam as the source of the narcotics. The Excise Police subsequently raided Mahbub Alam's residence and seized 6.42 kg of ganja. Further, he admitted that Tirupati was the supplier of the drugs.

Based on Mahbub Alam's statement, a case was filed against Tirupati, who is currently being sought by the police. Both Mahbub Alam and Nawabu Khan were arrested in connection with the seizure.

In a separate operation, the Special Task Force (STF) arrested Vishal Singh, a ganja trader who had relocated to Hyderguda from Dhoolpet due to increasing law enforcement in the area.

Vishal Singh was caught selling ganja near Fernandes Hospital, where STF B team SI Balaraju seized 1.161 kg of the drug. The arrest took place after the narcotics were handed over at the Narayanguda Excise Station. The Excise and STF units are continuing their operations to curb the illegal cannabis trade in the region.