Hyderabad: The Special Operations Team (SOT), Malkajgiri, working with Keesara police, arrested a man on October 10 in a joint action aimed at an interstate drug peddling network. Officers seized 7 kg of opium and 2 kg of poppy straw packed in multiple packets, and valued the haul at about ₹1 crore.
Police identified the arrested man as Lokesh Bareth, 26, a hotel manager from Baldarkha, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Investigators said he had travelled by train from Rajasthan on October 8 carrying the contraband for delivery in Hyderabad. The main supplier, named Jagadish Gujjar, remained at large, police added.
Arrest, seizure and case details
SOT and Keesara teams apprehended Lokesh near Kundanpally ORR rotary in Keesara while he waited to hand over the consignment to an unknown buyer. Officers recovered the drugs in 12 opium packets and four poppy-straw packets concealed in a leather bag and a briefcase. They also seized one mobile phone and the accused’s belongings.
Police registered the case as Cr. No. 763/2025 under sections 17(c) and 18(b) of the NDPS Act, 1985, at Keesara police station. Investigators said Lokesh had earlier delivered smaller consignments in August 2025 and had joined with Jagadish to traffic narcotics to Hyderabad, Chennai and neighbouring areas.
Probe, appeals and health warning
Rachakonda police said teams were tracing Jagadish Gujjar and other associates. They appealed to the public to avoid involvement in drug-related crimes and to share information with law enforcement. The press note warned that opium use causes insomnia, depression, respiratory problems and organ damage, and reiterated legal penalties under the NDPS Act. Authorities said efforts to expand the probe and identify buyers were ongoing.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Commissioner G. Sudheer Babu, IPS, and the leadership of DCPs and SOT officers from Malkajgiri and Keesara. Officers involved included Inspectors G. Janaiah and A. Anjaneyulu, and teams from CCS and SOT Malkajgiri.