Latest news with #TelanganaAnti-NarcoticsBureau
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Nigerian drug peddler arrested in Hyderabad with ₹1.25 crore worth cocaine, ecstasy pills
The Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) on Sunday arrested a Nigerian national in Sainikpuri, seizing 150 grams of high-purity cocaine, branded in drug circles as 'celebrity cocaine', along with 1,100 ecstasy pills. The total street value of the seizure is pegged at ₹1.25 crore. The accused, identified as Emmanuel Bediako alias Maxwell, 34, is part of a larger West African drug cartel operating across India, said the Director of the Bureau, Sandeep Shandilya. 'He entered the country using fake identities and forged passports, and had been operating primarily from Goa before moving to Hyderabad in a bid to expand the cartel's network. Maxwell's history in India spans three separate stints, starting in 2013. He initially came on a medical visa under false pretenses and never visited the hospital or city mentioned in his documents. Instead, he joined his cousin and alleged cartel boss, Romey, in Goa,' said the officer. Romey, who is currently in Nigeria, controlled operations remotely and used Maxwell as one of several foot soldiers managing supply chains and local deliveries. 'During his time in India, Maxwell operated using burner phones, moved frequently to avoid detection, and laundered his earnings through a wide network of Nigerian bank accounts and Indian hawala routes. After exhausting the Goa market, the cartel directed Maxwell to scout Hyderabad, citing rising demand,' added the officer. He arrived in Hyderabad in early 2025 and began setting up a local supply chain. Police caught up with him at a friend's house in Sainikpuri, where he had the narcotics, two mobile phones loaded with transaction data, and photographs of previous consignments. Police said that he was selling cocaine for ₹25,000 a gram and ecstasy pills at ₹6,000 apiece. Data retrieved from his phone included details of over 150 bank transactions across Nigerian banks, including GT Bank, Zenith Bank, and Moniepoint MFB. These were reportedly tied to Romey, his wife, Ugwu Promise Nnenna, and his brother-in-law. Maxwell is also said to have operated out of a luxury villa in Goa before relocating due to police pressure. 'This isn't just a case of drug peddling, it's an organised transnational racket involving multiple countries, fake documents, money laundering, and a systematic targeting of Indian youth,' said Director Shandilya. A Red Corner Notice against Romey and other absconding Nigerian nationals is likely to follow. Authorities have also issued an advisory to property owners in areas like Paramount Colony, Brundavan Colony, Sainikpuri, Tolichowki, and Banjara Hills to report any foreign nationals staying in rented properties and to comply with mandatory C-form registration as per the Foreigners Act.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- The Hindu
Adulterated toddy racket exposed
A narcotics racket involving the supply of Alprazolam-laced toddy has been unearthed by the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) following a coordinated crackdown across Kamareddy, Sangareddy and Nizamabad districts. The operation was triggered by back-to-back hospitalisations in early April, where over 95 people in Kamareddy district fell seriously ill after consuming spiked toddy, said Director of TGANB, Sandeep Shandilya. On April 8, more than 75 individuals from Nasrullabad mandal were hospitalised. A day later, another 20 from Gandhari mandal faced similar symptoms. 'Tests on their blood and urine samples confirmed the presence of benzodiazepines, including Alprazolam and Diazepam. These substances, typically used for treating anxiety and sleep disorders, are dangerously addictive and were being mixed into locally sold toddy,' explained the officer. In response, the TGANB and local police launched raids on toddy shops. Two criminal cases were filed and four people were arrested. Around 1,087 grams of Alprazolam were seized, and field kits confirmed adulteration in the toddy samples. Investigations revealed that the accused only held licences for toddy tapping, not for compounding or distribution. In Zaheerabad, based on surveillance, police arrested three individuals and seized 770 grams of Alprazolam along with ₹7.5 lakh in cash. The drugs were manufactured in an illegal lab located in Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra. The TGANB passed on the intelligence, leading to a raid by Maharashtra's Srirampur policemen, who uncovered a massive factory. They seized 69.76 kg of Alprazolam valued at ₹17.44 crore and 338 kg of raw materials worth ₹6.76 crore. Further leads brought the operation to Bodhan in Nizamabad district. On May 16, four suspects from Maharashtra were caught while delivering Alprazolam to a local contact. A total of 2.5 kg of the drug, a car, ₹2.5 lakh in cash and eight mobile phones were seized. Three other accused persons were identified but remain absconding. On May 27, another 30 kg of Alprazolam was seized from National Highway 65 near Omerga in Maharashtra, along with a four-wheeler. The bureau urged people to report any suspicious toddy adulteration through the toll-free number 1908 or email tsnabho-hyd@ Informants will be protected and rewarded appropriately.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
Cops trace drug-laced toddy racket origin to Maha
1 2 3 Hyderabad: Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) probing the alprazolam-laced toddy case in the state has traced the origin of the racket to Maharashtra. The link to the racket --- which led to over 80 people falling ill in Kamareddy district last month --- came to light following the arrest of six people, including manufacturers and middlemen, from Maharashtra earlier this week. Officials said the key individuals operating the racket were leading a luxurious life, moving in swanky cars and hoarding huge amounts of cash. Based on the confessions of the accused, the bureau officials discovered two factories in Maharashtra's Umarga and Kharad where drugs were being manufactured illegally. "Apart from the 100 kg of ready-to-use alprazolam, we also found 338 kg of chemicals that had reached stage 4. Alprazolam production is a five-stage chemical process," a bureau source told TOI. The six accused, including manufacturers Amar Singh Deshmukh and Babu Rao Baswaraj Kadere and middlemen Laxman Goud and Vishwanth, have been brought to Telangana on a prisoner transit warrant. "The searches were conducted earlier this week with the support of local police. Simultaneous raids at multiple locations helped us nab the accused. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Some of them are henchmen of local politicians and were using their political clout to run the drug manufacturing business," a TGANB official said. The manufacturers had built a network through which they were supplying alprazolam to toddy compounds. "The arrested accused were supplying the drug to toddy compounds located in various rural districts of Telangana. Their network spans across Karnataka and the erstwhile districts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, and Medak. It was a three-day operation that led to the unravelling of this racket," an official said. The accused were selling 1 kg of alprazolam for Rs 25 lakh. To adulterate toddy, just one gram of the drug was enough for 2,000 bottles, officials said. "The manufacturers were making huge profits from this illegal business. For every rupee invested, they were making a profit of Rs 100. The accused owned multiple high-end cars and, at any given time, had at least Rs 25 lakh in cash," an official added. At the time of arrest, police seized Rs 12 lakh in cash from them.
News18
12-05-2025
- Health
- News18
Hyderabad Hospital Ex-CEO Sold Rs 1 Crore Property To Buy Cocaine, Abused Drugs 10 Times A Day
Last Updated: The doctor reportedly used cocaine 8–10 times a day, waking every 2–3 hours at night to take it. She also relied on sleeping pills, indicating severe substance dependence In a major development, the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) has apprehended the former CEO of a renowned private hospital in Hyderabad for possession and purchase of cocaine worth Rs 5 lakh through a WhatsApp transaction. The 34-year-old female doctor, Namrata Chigurupati, was caught with 53 grams of the drug. Previously the head of Omega Hospitals, she was arrested while receiving the narcotics from a courier named Balakrishna, who is associated with Vansh Dhakkar, a supplier based in Mumbai, according to police reports. Investigations have uncovered her severe cocaine addiction, leading her to sell property valued at approximately Rs 1 crore to support her habit. Authorities also confiscated Rs 10,000 in cash and two mobile phones from Namrata Chigurupati. A case has been filed under relevant narcotics laws, and the accused have been placed in judicial custody. Initial interrogation revealed that Namrata Chigurupati confessed to having spent approximately Rs 70 lakh on drugs over a period, the police said. The doctor reportedly consumed cocaine eight to ten times a day, even waking up every two to three hours at night to take the drug. Additionally, she used sleeping pills. The arrest took place on May 9, though police had visited her home about 20 days earlier. During that visit, her drug addiction became apparent, and officers advised her family to admit her to a de-addiction centre. However, she misbehaved with the police and argued with them. On the day of her arrest, the doctor had gone to meet a courier, identified as Balakrishna Ram, who had brought cocaine from Mumbai. She had paid him Rs 5 lakh for the drugs. Police, already monitoring the situation, arrested both individuals once the transaction was completed. Further investigation revealed that Balakrishna would return to Mumbai and deliver the money to a drug supplier named Vansh Thakkar, a DJ by profession. Vansh supplied cocaine, which Balakrishna then transported to Hyderabad for delivery. It is believed that the doctor and Vansh met at a party, and Vansh remains at large. Namrata Chigurupati had contacted Vansh Thakkar through WhatsApp and placed the order, subsequently transferring the payment online. Police tracked the transaction and intercepted it. Police suspect Balakrishna was not only supplying drugs to the doctor but also to other individuals, having travelled to Hyderabad 10 times in the previous month. Initially engaged in small jobs, he later transitioned to drug trafficking. Crucial evidence was uncovered through WhatsApp chats, despite the doctor's attempt to use the 'disappearing messages' feature. One message highlighted the frequency and quantity of her drug use, indicating the extent of her addiction. First Published: May 12, 2025, 17:49 IST
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Time of India
Hyderabad: Former CEO sold Rs 1 crore property to fund her cocaine addiction
A former CEO of a well-known corporate hospital was arrested by Cyberabad police last week for possessing 53 grams of cocaine. Officials from the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) said she was heavily addicted to the drug and even sold a property worth around Rs 1 crore to sustain her habit, a TOI report stated. #Operation Sindoor The damage done at Pak bases as India strikes to avenge Pahalgam Why Pakistan pleaded to end hostilities Kashmir's Pahalgam sparks Karachi's nightmare Police say addiction reached extreme levels 'She abused cocaine multiple times a day, often up to 10 times in 24 hours. In fact, she woke up every two or three hours in the night due to the addiction,' a source familiar with the investigation told TOI. Officials also revealed that the 34-year-old had been consuming sleeping pills in addition to cocaine. Family warned earlier, police advised de-addiction Police said they had visited the doctor's home around 20 days before her arrest on May 9. They informed the family that she was under police surveillance and advised them to admit her to a de-addiction centre. 'However, she misbehaved with the police and even got into an argument with them,' the source added. GIF89a����!�,D; Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unsold 2023 Cars Now Almost Free - Prices May Surprise You Unsold Cars | Search Ads Learn More Undo Arrest followed delivery from Mumbai-based courier On the day of the arrest, the doctor had gone to meet a courier, Balakrishna Rampyar Ram, who had travelled from Mumbai to deliver the cocaine. 'She was unaware of still being under police watch. Cops had suspected that she would commit the offence again and had kept continuous surveillance,' a cop said. The police tracked her movement when she met Balakrishna and paid ₹5 lakh for the drugs. Money trail leads to DJ and drug supplier in Mumbai According to police, Balakrishna returned to Mumbai with the money and handed it over to Vansh Thakkar, a DJ who is suspected to be a key drug supplier. 'The courier took the drug from Thakkar and brought it back to Hyderabad to hand it over to the doctor. This is when they were arrested,' officials said. Live Events Courier under suspicion for wider drug links Investigators said that Thakkar had been supplying drugs to the former CEO regularly and that she might have met him during parties. Thakkar is yet to be arrested. 'Balakrishna travelled to Hyderabad at least 10 times last month. This raises suspicions about him supplying drugs to other consumers too. He was once a gig worker who later got into drug work,' the source said. Police examine WhatsApp chats despite privacy setting Although the doctor had enabled disappearing messages on WhatsApp, police recovered several conversations between her and Thakkar. One of the chats read: 'Last time was 57? 8 left in total and sent 5 this time so 3 left'. Police said they were trying to decode the messages and had found more similar exchanges.
