Hyderabad: EAGLE Force busts Odisha-to-city drug network, 100 consumers held
HYDERABAD: Telangana’s EAGLE Force has claimed to have dismantled a drug supply network stretching from the forests of Odisha to Hyderabad and Cyberabad, after an anonymous tip-off through its 1908 helpline led investigators to a Balanagar-based peddler.
The operation, which began with a message received on May 28, culminated in a 36-hour operation during the intervening night of August 12 and 13. Police said they detained 100 of the 180 targeted drug consumers and arrested or traced key suppliers linked to Koraput district in Odisha.
Helpline tip helped investigators trace wider supply chain
According to the EAGLE Force press note, message No. 818 named Satya Avinash, 27, as a suspected peddler of MDMA and LSD in Hyderabad. Investigators questioned him and found him positive for ganja consumption.
Police said further questioning revealed that he regularly procured ganja through WhatsApp. He allegedly made payments through PhonePe and received Google Maps locations indicating where the drugs had been placed.
The investigation continued through June and July using human and technical intelligence. By July 7, investigators said they had mapped a supply chain originating in interior parts of Koraput district.
Police identified 31 carriers and traced the money trail to five people. Investigators then worked to identify the person receiving orders on WhatsApp, coordinating payments and directing a “dead drop” operator to place the drugs at specified locations.
Probe identified 230 consumers and Odisha supply links
The EAGLE Force said it eventually identified about 230 consumers and established links between the supply points in Odisha, Pachipenta in Vizianagaram district and financiers in Balanagar.
Investigators also used the assistance of a consumer from Korutla to place orders and identify drug drop locations, according to the press note.
The operation was planned for August 10. The EAGLE Force sought additional manpower from Hyderabad police commissioner, following which the DCP Task Force and Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing were directed to assist.
Police said the operation targeted 188 locations or persons, including the main supplier network, two suppliers from Odisha who had travelled to Hyderabad, five alleged drug kingpins from interior Koraput and 180 consumers.
During the operation, police said they apprehended five alleged key suppliers in Odisha — Sanjya Mari, Kamesh Mari, Dambu Khora, Anasu Khara and Sethi Rakesh. The press note said one of them was a juvenile in conflict with law and was served notice and released.
100 consumers detained, 80 test positive for drugs
Of the 180 consumers targeted, 100 were apprehended, including seven students, according to the EAGLE Force. Of these, 80 tested positive for drug consumption.
A total of 38 consumers were sent for de-addiction through a magistrate, while the EAGLE Force said the process of sending the remaining 42 positive consumers to de-addiction centres would be taken up in the next few days.
The force said it would use Government Order Ms No. 4 to work with parents, health authorities and the judiciary to help consumers give up drugs. It also said the consumers would need to be monitored for three years, with the support of their parents.
EAGLE Force appealed to young people and students to stay away from narcotic drugs and urged parents to remain alert to behavioural changes in their children.
The force asked the public to report drug trafficking, peddling, possession or consumption through its 1908 toll-free helpline or WhatsApp number 8712671111. EAGLE Force is the Telangana Police’s specialised organisation for tackling drug trafficking and drug abuse.
