Hyderabad: Hyderabad: In a big drug bust, the Hyderabad Narcotics Police Station (HNPS) EAGLE team arrested two peddlers. One is local, and the other interstate drugs supplier. They seized 6 kg of ganja worth Rs 1.5 lakh. This operation uncovered a network that supplied narcotics to students, including 26 medical students from Mediciti Institute of Medical Sciences.

On August 1, acting on intelligence, the EAGLE team apprehended Arfath Ahmed Khan (23) from Risala Bazar, Bollaram, with 2 kg ganja worth Rs 50,000, a two-wheeler, and a mobile phone. A case was registered under the NDPS Act, and he was remanded to judicial custody. Based on his confession on August 5, the team nabbed Zareena Banu (46) from Bidar, Karnataka, with 4 kg ganja (Rs 1 lakh). She was booked and remanded.

Shocking Revelation

During interrogation, from the accused's confession, the police identified around 84 consumers, including 26 Medico students from Mediciti Institute of Medical Sciences situated at Ghanpur, Medchal. Further, urine tests showed 8 tested positive for Ganja, and four students were sent to Tenet Diagnosis Centre for tests, followed by counselling with parents and college officials.

Modus Operandi

Arfath Ahmed Khan, a habitual ganja user, turned to drug peddling to fund his addiction. He connected with Zareena Bhanu, a Bidar-based supplier, procuring bulk ganja for local sales in Hyderabad. Between August 2024 and August 2025, he transferred substantial amounts to her UPI account. Based on the Arfath Ahmed Khan confession, police nabbed Zareena Banu, 46, from Bidar, Karnataka, booked her under the NDPS Act, and sent her to judicial custody.

Investigations revealed her involvement in drug peddling since 2010, supplying to Hyderabad residents and receiving payments via Phone PE, GPay, Pay TM, and cash. She sources Ganja primarily from Parli, Maharashtra, and local suppliers in Bidar. Authorities identified 51 peddlers (more than 20 lakhs) paid to Zareena Bhanu linked to her bank records revealing annual transactions of Rs. 1.5 Crore, including Rs. six lakhs sent by accomplice Arfath Ahmed Khan for Ganja procurement.

The HNPSEAGLE continues its crackdown on drug-related crimes and urges the public to report any suspicious activities to help create a safer society. In addition, our teams will conduct drug tests at all educational institutions across the state at regular intervals. The heads of the institutions have also been requested to ensure that no scope is given for any illegal activities within their campuses.

Public Appeal

In recent times, we have seen several youth/students getting addicted to drugs, committing crimes, and involving themselves in other antisocial activities. Several families have become victims of this menace. It is an ardent request from the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau to the youth/students not to fall prey to drugs and request the parents to keep a watch on the activities of their children and feel free to approach the police or pass information to the police on Phone No. 8712671111 to curtail such antisocial activities and strive for a drug-free city.