Who are the Techies Caught Buying Ganja in Hyderabad?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Four IT professionals and a student were arrested in a drug bust.
- The operation took place in Hyderabad's Gachibowli area.
- All arrested individuals tested positive for drugs.
- The arrests highlighted the issue of drug use among young professionals.
- Authorities are pursuing additional suspects involved in the drug network.
Hyderabad, July 13 (NationPress) - In a significant operation, Telangana’s anti-narcotics agency EAGLE apprehended 14 individuals, including four IT professionals and a student, during a decoy operation in Gachibowli, located in Hyderabad’s Information Technology corridor, as they arrived to purchase ganja.
The code phrase “Bhai Baccha agaya Bhai” was utilized by the dealer to signal the sale of ganja (cannabis), which led the newly formed Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) to arrest 14 customers within a two-hour timeframe near the HDFC bank.
All customers, primarily in their 20s, consisted of 4 IT employees, a student, a property manager, and a travel agency owner, as reported by EAGLE on Sunday.
Among the shocking incidents, a couple appeared with their four-year-old child to make a purchase. Additionally, another husband-wife pair tested positive for drug use.
The EAGLE team performed drug tests on all 14 individuals, who all showed positive results. Subsequently, they were directed to a de-addiction center.
Previously, EAGLE apprehended a drug dealer named Sandeep, from Maharashtra, whose mobile phone contained the contact details of various ganja customers.
Police sent WhatsApp messages to these customers using the code “Bhai Baccha agaya Bhai”, which the dealer had previously used to notify customers about the availability of drugs.
This operation marks EAGLE’s second major success in less than a week, having previously collaborated with Cyberabad police to dismantle a drug supply network linked to a restaurant. Six individuals were arrested on July 7, with the announcement made two days later.
The arrests included key dealer Surya Annamaneni, owner of Malnadu Restaurant in Kompally, who was allegedly found in possession of and supplying illegal drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy pills, and OG weed.
Five businessmen named Yashwanth, Jaswanth, Navadeep, Pawan, and Rahul were also detained. All were reportedly involved in the operation of restaurants, hotels, or pubs within the city.
Authorities are on the lookout for 19 additional suspects, including techies, doctors, upscale pub owners, and individuals from the real estate and food and beverage sectors.
EAGLE stated that these arrests have unveiled a complex, transnational drug network involving international suppliers, pub-based consumers, courier delivery of narcotics, and digital financial transactions.