Hyderabad: In a dramatic swoop near Jaya Nagar, Kukatpally, Cyberabad police arrested five suspects on Monday for allegedly plotting to peddle a dangerous cocktail of cocaine and ephedrine. The crackdown, led by Kukatpally Police and Balanagar SOT teams, resulted in the seizure of 820 grams of the potent mix, estimated at around Rs 1 crore.
The operation unfolded after officers, acting on a tip-off, intercepted the group while they were scouring the area for potential buyers. One suspect reportedly tried to make a run for it but was quickly nabbed. Police later uncovered a digital weighing machine and five mobile phones believed to have been used in the illicit trade.
Leading the pack was Gunashekar, a serving constable from Tirupati’s Task Force. Investigators said he hatched the plan to cash in on Hyderabad’s high demand for drugs. He roped in Unnam Surendra, an unemployed man from Tirupati, who was eager to earn easy money.
Surendra, in turn, reached out to several acquaintances: Donthi Reddy Haribabu Reddy, a contractor from Bapatla; Chegudi Mercy Margaret, who once ran a finance business in Prakasam district; Shaik Masthan Vali, a fast-food vendor from Addanki; and Devaraju Yesu Babu, a self-styled loan agent from the same village.
Police revealed that Surendra and Mercy Margaret had a history of disputes over a hand loan. Haribabu Reddy, attempting to patch things up, introduced them to Yesu Babu, who claimed to know buyers in Hyderabad. The group planned to sell the drug to local consumers, hoping to cash in quickly.
According to investigators, on 29 May, Surendra collected the contraband from Gunashekar in Tirupati and made his way to Hyderabad via Guntur. The gang rendezvoused in Jaya Nagar, Kukatpally, where they began hunting for buyers. But before they could complete a deal, police swooped in and foiled the plan.
Under the supervision of Medchal SOT DCP D. Srinivas and Balanagar ADCP P. Satyanarayana, the operation was executed with precision. Officers worked tirelessly to bring the accused to justice and secure the haul.
Police have urged parents to keep a watchful eye on their children’s activities and to alert authorities about any suspicious behaviour. “Together, we can build a drug-free community,” a senior officer said.