Inside the Hyderabad drug racket, from online deals to courier deliveries

Hyderabad: In a major crackdown, the Hyderabad City Police’s Narcotics Enforcement Wing (H-NEW) busted a multi-layered drug network operating across the city using social media, courier services and interstate supply chains.

Five individuals, including an interstate peddler, a local dealer and three sub-peddlers, were arrested, and contraband worth Rs 63.65 lakh was seized during coordinated raids in Chilkalguda, Sanath Nagar and Adibatla.

Using Instagram reels and proxy phones, student into sub-peddler

An 18-year-old student, Sai Nikhil Yadav from Balanagar, was caught with 115 grams of MDMA worth Rs 11.5 lakh.

Police said he fell into drug use during college and later began selling narcotics to sustain his addiction.

To avoid detection, he used others’ mobile phones and relied on Instagram to connect with both suppliers and customers. He is also linked to previous NDPS cases and was earlier shown as absconding.

Train routes and border supply: Interstate peddler’s network

Simhachalam (28), a welder from Srikakulam district, emerged as a key interstate supplier, moving drugs from the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha border into Hyderabad. He was arrested along with Venu (23), a driver who worked as a sub-peddler.

Seized: 1,005 grams of hash oil

Value: Rs 12.75 lakh

Investigators found that Simhachalam avoided digital trails, transported drugs via trains and distributed them through a network of local peddlers.

Venu, who met him in jail, later joined the network to earn quick money.

Local drug chain used courier routes and encrypted apps

In Adibatla, police arrested Akshay Patel (35) and Babburi Aditya Vardhan (25), dismantling a local distribution module.

Seized: Ecstasy pills (363g), OG (41g), LSD blots, cash and vehicles

Value: Rs 39.4 lakh

Akshay, facing business losses, allegedly turned to drug peddling and used courier services and encrypted apps to source drugs. Aditya, battling addiction, worked as a sub-peddler, supplying drugs across the city for commissions.

Layered network involving suppliers, couriers, sub-peddlers

Police revealed that the racket operated through a structured chain:

- Suppliers based outside the city

- Couriers and transport routes (trains, parcels)

- Sub-peddlers handling local distribution

Use of social media platforms, encrypted messaging apps and indirect communication helped the accused evade law enforcement for a considerable time.

Rising concern amid youth and professionals falling prey

Officials flagged a worrying trend — students, IT professionals and educated youth are increasingly getting involved in drug abuse and peddling, often driven by easy money and peer influence.

Police urged parents to closely monitor behavioural changes and social circles of their children.

Public Alert: Report drug activity

The H-NEW appealed to citizens to stay vigilant and report any drug-related activity.

Information can be shared via helplines: 8712661601, 8712661613, 8712661614.

Coordinated police action

The operation was carried out by H-NEW teams in coordination with local police units under the supervision of senior officials.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Task Force/H-NEW) Vaibhav Gaikwad, IPS, commended the teams for dismantling the network and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to tackling drug trafficking in Hyderabad.