Telangana Excise and Tourism Minister V Srinivas Goud today warned that narcotic drug users and those involved in selling them in pubs or elsewhere would be punished seriously.
Talking to press persons at Haritha Plaza, the minister directed the officials concerned to suppress narcotics usage with an iron hand.
Goud said that drugs were being cultivated in Odisha and AP, and shifted to other states through Hyderabad.
"We have information that some pubs are making money by selling illegal drugs. Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has directed strict action against such illegal activities, and the government will not spare any leaders or businessmen with any connection with drug use. We will shut down any pubs found selling drugs," he said.
He directed the officials of the excise and other related departments to conduct raids in pubs and any other places which were involved in illegal drugs, and warned the officials too that the government would act tough and suspend them if failed to check the drug menace.
He also instructed the pubs to put up toll-free numbers and suggestion boxes for complaints, and also to stop sound pollution using heavy duty music systems.
He said that people could call the toll-free number 1800 425 2523 to report any drugs-related crimes.