Hyderabad: 2 held for selling illegal gunpowder

The accused have been identified as Mohammed Zainulabedin Shabbir (57), a resident of Edi Bazar and Nazeer Ahmed Khan (49), a resident of Shahalibanda in Hyderabad.

According to the police, Zainulabedin's father acquired an explosive license in 1967 and established a gunpowder manufacturing business under the name M/s Ghouse Arms and Ammunition Factory at Edi Bazar.

Zainulabedin and his brothers had been looking after the business after the death of their father. But during the course of the time, family disputes arose among the brothers and subsequently, Zainulabedin started his own business. Meanwhile, he met the other accused, Nazeer, who used to sell coal powder, one of the raw materials required to make gunpowder along with Sodium Nitrate and Sulphur.

The police found that the two men started making and selling gunpowder illegally for Rs. 45 per kg to Satish and Vishnuvardhan from Karimnagar. Zainulabedin and Nazeer used to transport the gunpowder via private transport agencies and once Satish and Vishnuvardhan received the supply they would transfer the money online to Zaniulabedin.

Based on credible information, the south zone task force raided the coal depot at Fatima Nagar, Vattapally, Falaknuma, Hyderabad and found the two accused men in possession of gunpowder, Sodium Nitrate, Sulphur, and coal powder. The two were arrested and the property seized and handed over to the SHO of Falaknuma station for further action.