Hyderabad: Chandrayangutta drug lord Wahabuddin held, ganja worth ₹14L seized

Hyderabad: Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) of the Malkajgiri Commissionerate arrested the most-wanted criminal involved in multiple offences across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and seized 28 kilograms of ganja worth Rs 14 lakh.

The accused, identified as Khaja Wahabuddin of Chandrayangutta, has more than 43 criminal cases registered against him, including theft, robbery, snatching, and drug trafficking.

Four non-bailable warrants (NBWs) were pending against him at the time of his arrest.

Arrest near ORR while awaiting buyer

Acting on specific intelligence, EAGLE teams kept close surveillance on Wahabuddin’s movements. On Thursday evening, police intercepted a Baleno car near the Outer Ring Road (ORR) close to Ramoji Film City, where the accused was allegedly waiting for a customer after transporting ganja from Odisha.

Upon searching the vehicle, police recovered 14 packets of ganja, each weighing two kilograms, concealed in the car’s boot. The total contraband weighed 28 kilograms.

Wahabuddin’s associate, Imran, who was reportedly present nearby, fled the scene after noticing the police. A manhunt has been launched to trace him.

Police also seized the car, a mobile phone, and internet dongles used by the accused.

Bought for Rs 10,000, sold for Rs 50,000 per packet

During interrogation, Wahabuddin reportedly confessed that he procured each two-kilogram packet of ganja from a supplier named ‘Guru’ in Odisha for Rs 10,000. He transported the contraband to Hyderabad and sold each packet for Rs 50,000, making substantial illegal profits.

Used only WhatsApp calls to avoid tracking

Police said the accused avoided regular mobile calls to escape surveillance. Being aware that he was under watch, he allegedly communicated with customers only through WhatsApp calls and carried internet dongles to mask his identity and movements.

225 NBW accused arrested in 20-day drive

The arrest is part of a special drive launched by the EAGLE team to nab criminals against whom non-bailable warrants are pending.

Over the past 20 days, the team has arrested 225 absconding NBW accused using technical surveillance and intelligence inputs. Drug tests were conducted on all arrested individuals in the presence of their guardians. Those who tested positive were sent to de-addiction centres for rehabilitation.

Police said further investigation is underway.