Hyderabad: Police busted a stale meat racket in Mangalhat and arrested a man for allegedly selling long-stored and unhygienic meat as fresh.
Mangalhat Police conducted the operation on March 10 with support from the Golconda Zone Task Force and GHMC officials after receiving credible information. During the raid, officials seized nearly 300 kilograms of decomposed goat and sheep offal stored in unhygienic conditions.
Police identified the accused as Mohammed Afroz alias Afroz (41), a resident of Amar Nagar Colony. He operated a sheep and goat offal business named “A to Z Sheep & Goat Offals” at RK Pet near Chisti Chaman Dargah in Mangalhat.
According to investigators, Afroz purchased goat and sheep meat in bulk at low prices from several states, including Karnataka, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir.
Stale meat racket exposed after raid in Mangalhat
Investigators said Afroz stored the meat for long periods in deep freezers and plastic tubs filled with stagnant water. This method slowed decomposition and suppressed foul odours.
Police said he later sold the meat to customers while falsely claiming it was fresh and hygienic. Officials warned that the illegal activity cheated consumers and posed a serious threat to public health.
During the inspection, GHMC officials seized the decomposed meat and disposed of it according to prescribed procedures.
Police also revealed that GHMC had earlier fined the accused for a similar offence.
Mangalhat Police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and started further investigation.
DCP G. Chandra Mohan of the Golconda Zone supervised the operation. ACP Kulsumpura Division, SHO S. Raghvendra, SI T. Vinod, SI S. Shruthi, and staff of the Mangalhat Police Station carried out the raid.
Police urged citizens to avoid buying meat or food from unauthorised or unhygienic outlets. They also asked people to report such illegal activities to authorities.