Hyderabad: Five arrested after they test positive for ganja at Kove Stays Hotel in Gachibowli

Hyderabad: Telangana EAGLE Force and Cyberabad Police arrested five youth after they tested positive for ganja at a hotel in Gachibowli on Tuesday night.

This follows a major crackdown on drug abuse

The operation was carried out following specific intelligence about a drug-fuelled reunion party being organised at a hotel room in the area.

Police confirmed that one of the five who tested positive is a serving police personnel attached to the Hyderabad Commissionerate. Departmental action is likely in addition to the criminal case.

A case has been registered at the Gachibowli Police Station under Crime No. 41/2026, and further investigation is underway, according to a press release issued by the EAGLE Force and Cyberabad Police on Wednesday.

Joint raid at Kove Stays

According to police officials, teams from the EAGLE Force and Gachibowli police raided Room No. 309 at Kove Stays, located in the Masjid Banda area of Gachibowli, on the night of January 6, 2026.

At the time of the raid, seven people were found consuming alcohol in the room. Though no narcotic substances were physically recovered during the search, the suspicious behaviour of the occupants prompted the police to conduct urine drug tests.

Five test positive for Ganja

The urine test results confirmed ganja consumption by five out of the seven persons present. Police said the accused admitted to having consumed ganja a day earlier. Based on these findings, the five were taken into custody for further legal action.

Reunion party turns risky

Preliminary investigation revealed that four of the accused were classmates who had completed a hotel management degree in Hyderabad in 2019, while the fifth was a close friend.

The group reportedly got introduced to ganja during a wedding event several years ago and continued the habit thereafter. The accused had planned a reunion party at the hotel, which eventually led to their exposure.

Accused Identified

The five persons who tested positive have been identified as Meghender (29), a freelance bartender, resident of Manikonda; Tejeshwar (28), food & beverages manager, resident of Kukatpally; Sai Prasad (28), hotel manager, resident of Ramanthapur; Ramesh (27), learning & development manager, resident of Serilingampally; and T. Ravi (27), ARPC, CAR Headquarters, Hyderabad Commissionerate, resident of Begumpet.

Police warning

Police officials stated that strict action will be taken against those involved in drug abuse and emphasised the need for greater awareness programmes to curb substance abuse, especially among young professionals. Further investigation into the incident is ongoing.