Drug bust in Kukatpally: Rs 1 crore worth cocaine seized; 7 including constable arrested

Hyderabad: As much as Rs 1 crore worth of narcotics were seized from seven persons, including a task force constable, near JayaNagar, Kukatpally.

Cyberabad Police, in collaboration with the Special Operations Team (SOT) of Balanagar, made the arrests where the accused were allegedly scouting for customers to sell cocaine laced with ephedrine.

Authorities seized 820 grams of the contraband, valued at Rs 1 crore, along with other incriminating materials.

Accused includes task force constable

The alleged kingpin, Gunashekar, a serving task force constable from Tirupati, is believed to have orchestrated the operation.

According to police, Gunashekar supplied the drug to Unnam Surendra, who in turn mobilised a network of accomplices from Andhra Pradesh to distribute the substance in Hyderabad, citing high demand in the city.

Complex network unravelled

The investigation revealed that Surendra, lured by the promise of quick money, conspired with associates Haribabu Reddy, Mercy Margaret, Shaik Masthan Vali and Devaraju Yesu Babu—all from Bapatla District, Andhra Pradesh.

The group reportedly planned the sale after Yesu Babu claimed he had contacts in Hyderabad interested in purchasing the drug. Police also identified Appanna, a peddler from Bangalore, as part of the wider distribution chain.

Financial disputes sparked criminal ties

The case has surprising financial underpinnings.

Surendra and Mercy Margaret, a former employee of a finance company, were previously engaged in informal gold loan dealings. Disputes over loan repayments led to interventions from friends, eventually drawing more individuals into the drug conspiracy.

On May 29, Surendra reportedly collected the drug consignment from Gunashekar in Tirupati and travelled to Hyderabad via Guntur. The group then gathered at Kukatpally to plan the distribution.

Patrolling officers intercepted accused’s vehicle

Acting on suspicion, patrolling officers intercepted the group on June 2 while they were moving toward Bhagyanagar, Kukatpally.

One accused attempted to flee but was swiftly apprehended. Upon search and questioning, police recovered 820 grams of cocaine mixed with Ephedrine, one digital weighing machine, and five mobile phones. All seizures were conducted under the NDPS Act.

Public advisory

The Cyberabad Police have issued an appeal urging parents to remain vigilant about their children’s behaviour and report any suspicious activity. “Together, we can build a drug-free society,” said N Koti Reddy, deputy commissioner of police, Balanagar Zone.