Were 32 Medical Students in Hyderabad Found Using Ganja?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 32 students from a medical college have tested positive for ganja.
- Authorities are implementing measures to combat drug abuse.
- Support and counseling are being provided to affected students.
- Ongoing investigations are targeting drug supply networks.
- Community awareness about drug abuse is crucial.
Hyderabad, Aug 7 (NationPress) In a shocking revelation, 32 students from a medical college in Hyderabad have been discovered consuming drugs following the arrest of two individuals by Telangana’s Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) on suspicions of drug distribution.
A total of 82 consumers of ganja (cannabis) were pinpointed, with 32 students associated with Medicity Medical College.
Officials conducted drug tests on 24 students with nine, including two females, testing positive. All of these students reside in the college hostel.
EAGLE officials, along with the college management, provided support to the students in the presence of their parents. The nine students who tested positive have been referred to a de-addiction center. The next 30 days are deemed crucial for their recovery and re-integration.
The anti-drug agency has declared that surprise inspections will persist in various institutions.
This incident came to light after EAGLE apprehended two individuals, including a woman, for drug trafficking, who were found supplying ganja to consumers, including medical students.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Arfath Ahmed Khan (23) from Risala Bazar, Bolarum, Hyderabad, and Zareena Banu (46) from Bidar, Karnataka.
The police confiscated six kilograms of ganja valued at Rs.1.50 lakh from them. Following the confession of the accused, the EAGLE team was able to identify the consumers, including medical students.
Khan, a habitual ganja user, resorted to drug peddling to finance his addiction. He collaborated with Zareena Banu to procure large quantities of ganja for local distribution in Hyderabad. Between August 2024 and August 2025, he transferred significant amounts to her UPI account.
Khan has a previous record of similar offenses, including one registered under the NDPS Act at Tukaramgate police station and another at Alwal police station.
EAGLE’s investigation also uncovered Zareena Banu’s connection to drug trafficking dating back to 2010. She has been implicated in four cases, with four kilograms of ganja seized from her and two kilograms from Khan.
According to EAGLE, Zareena Banu has Rs.1.5 crore worth of suspicious bank transactions. Officials reported that Rs.26 lakhs were linked to 51 peddlers in Hyderabad. Khan had sent her Rs.6 lakh for ganja procurement.
Another Rs.1.24 crore worth of transactions is under investigation, as the network is associated with nearly 100 peddlers.
The woman primarily sourced ganja from Parli in Maharashtra and local suppliers in Bidar.
Law enforcement has indicated that Zareena has a history of similar offenses and was previously on the run for a case registered under the NDPS Act. In August 2024, she faced another case in Bidar but managed to evade capture. She is also contending with two more cases under the NDPS Act in Hyderabad.