Narcotics Suppliers Network Unearthed By Excise Department

The Telangana State Excise Department's Task Force has been able to achieve a major breakthrough in breaking the network of high-end narcotics, especially LSD, in and around Hyderabad.

Till date, eight persons have been arrested. They are Calvin Mascarenhas (28), B Tech, musician and ex-bank employee; Md Abdul Quddus (29), MBA (Melbourne) and MNC employee; Md Abdul Wahed (20), a B Tech 3rd year student; Kundan Singh (23), BBA, Myles Car Rentals; Aman Naidu (25), B Tech, EA Sports (a gaming company); V Nikhil Shetty (23), B Tech, start-up owner; V Ravi Kiran (34), B Tech, MBA, yoga instructor; and Brendon Ben (20), hotel management, Dog Kennel, an event management company.

All of the eight persons arrested are drug pushers, dealers or vendors. The department has not arrested anyone who is a user or consumer so far (although a legal offence under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act is being made out against such persons).

During the investigation, a lot of disturbing facts have emerged, the primary being use of drugs by school and college students. Advisory notices have been issued so far to 26 schools and 27 colleges where it was found that there were sizable numbers of users.

The Director of the department said that a meeting/interaction had been proposed with the Principals/Correspondents of almost 80 schools of the city on July 14, 2017. The time and venue were being finalized. A similar exercise would be undertaken regarding colleges, too, he said.

A toll-free number (1800-425-2523) is being publicized so that citizens / parents / teachers / students who have any information regarding the issue can pass it on. The names and identities will be protected. The department is also making efforts to extend the fight against drugs from enforcement to education and awareness. Awareness videos are being produced which will be circulated in the media and on WhatsApp/Telegram groups, and sent to schools and colleges for propagation.