How police busted drug racket that used to smuggle MDMA, opium under guise of pan masala from Rajasthan to Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Cyberabad Police have busted an inter-state drug trafficking racket that was smuggling narcotics from Rajasthan to Hyderabad under the guise of pan masala.

In a joint operation, the EAGLE Force and the Petbasheerabad Police Station seized a large quantity of MDMA and opium and arrested a key accused involved in the illegal trade.

Drugs hidden in pan masala packets

According to police, the accused were transporting and distributing narcotic substances concealed in pan masala packets.

The racket primarily targeted migrant workers from Rajasthan and other northern States who are employed in the construction and interior design sectors in Hyderabad.

Investigators found that the drugs were not only consumed by mixing them with pan masala but were also sold to others using the same method to evade detection.

Joint operation after month-long surveillance

Acting on specific intelligence that drug peddling was taking place within the limits of Petbasheerabad, the EAGLE Force launched surveillance operations.

After nearly a month of close monitoring, a joint raid was conducted, leading to the arrest of Rajender alias Raju Bhakar (31), an inter-state drug peddler.

Police seized 200 grams of MDMA, nearly twenty times the commercial quantity, and 60 grams of opium from his possession. The seized contraband is estimated to be worth around Rs 15 lakh in the illegal market.

Accused’s Background and Modus Operandi

During interrogation, Rajender revealed that he had dropped out of school after Class 8 and migrated to Hyderabad, where he initially worked as a carpenter and later as an interior designer.

After becoming addicted to drugs, he allegedly noticed a growing demand in the city and began sourcing narcotics from Dhanraj, Anil, and Mukesh, residents of Nagaur district in Rajasthan.

He reportedly transported the drugs to Hyderabad and sold them at around Rs 5,000 per gram, making substantial illegal profits.

Search on for main suppliers

Police said the main suppliers are currently absconding, and special teams have been formed to trace and arrest them. Efforts are also underway to identify and take legal action against several consumers who purchased drugs from the accused.

The Cyberabad Police reiterated that strict action will continue against drug trafficking networks and warned that anyone involved in the supply or consumption of narcotics will face severe legal consequences.