The Cyberabad Police have busted an inter-state drug trafficking racket that was smuggling narcotics from Rajasthan to Hyderabad by concealing them in pan masala packets.

In a joint operation, the EAGLE Force and 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

Police said the accused were transporting and distributing narcotic substances concealed inside pan masala packets to evade detection. The drugs were allegedly consumed by mixing them with pan masala and also sold in the same form to others.

Investigators revealed that the racket primarily targeted migrant workers from Rajasthan and other northern states working in the construction and interior design sectors across Hyderabad.

Month-long surveillance leads to arrest

Acting on specific intelligence inputs about drug peddling activities in the Petbasheerabad area, the EAGLE Force initiated surveillance nearly a month ago. Following sustained monitoring, a joint raid was conducted, resulting in the arrest of Rajender alias Raju Bhakar (31), identified as an inter-state drug peddler.

Police seized 200 grams of MDMA, nearly 20 times the commercial quantity, and 60 grams of opium from his possession. The seized contraband is estimated to be worth around ₹15 lakh in the illegal market.

Accused’s background and modus operandi

During interrogation, Rajender disclosed that he dropped out of school after Class 8 and later migrated to Hyderabad, where he worked as a carpenter and interior designer. After developing a drug addiction, he allegedly noticed increasing demand for narcotics in the city and decided to enter the illegal trade.

He reportedly sourced drugs from suppliers identified as Dhanraj, Anil and Mukesh, residents of Nagaur, and sold them in Hyderabad at approximately ₹5,000 per gram, making substantial illicit profits.

Hunt on for main suppliers

Cyberabad Police said the main suppliers are currently absconding, and special teams have been formed to trace and arrest them. Authorities are also working to identify consumers who purchased drugs from the accused and initiate legal action against them.

Police reiterated their commitment to cracking down on narcotics networks and warned that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in the supply or consumption of drugs.