Hyderabad EAGLE uncovers ganja crowd funding network
HYDERABAD: Youth addicted to ganja and drugs have adopted crowd funding to procure and sell narcotics, the Telangana police have found.
Investigations by the state’s Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) revealed that students are forming groups, pooling money and buying ganja in bulk. They consume part of it and sell the rest at higher rates to make money.
EAGLE’s decoy operations exposed that along with ganja, synthetic drugs are also being circulated in significant quantities through a chain supply system.
Students pool ₹2,000 to ₹10,000 each
Officials said some students addicted to cigarettes, alcohol, ganja and drugs are turning suppliers. They form gangs to purchase and distribute ganja.
Each member contributes between ₹2,000 and ₹10,000. With the pooled funds, they travel to agency areas in Odisha under the pretext of tours. Since they are students, their travel does not arouse suspicion.
They buy ganja from local agents at about ₹2,000 per kg. After travelling mostly past midnight, they pack the contraband in plastic covers upon reaching their destinations. They then carry it in bags and supply it within colleges.
EAGLE found that engineering students in Hyderabad, Warangal and Karimnagar and surrounding areas are among those purchasing the contraband. Youth seeking quick money, along with petty offenders, are transporting ganja from Odisha agency areas and synthetic drugs from Goa.
Codes used for online orders, courier supply
Investigators said suppliers use code words such as “item”, “maal”, “ticket booking” and “night party” to deliver drugs and ganja.
Based on market demand, cocaine, charas and MDMA are transported from Goa to Hyderabad. Dealers and suppliers ensure that identities are concealed from each other.
Orders are placed online and deliveries are made through courier services using the “dead drop” method. Parcels containing drugs or ganja are placed at specific locations, and the details are shared with customers.
Rates are fixed per gram depending on potency, with commissions charged. LSD blots available in Goa for ₹1,000 are sold in the city for ₹1,500 to ₹3,000. Heroin, which gives a stronger high than LSD, is sold at ₹6,000 to ₹8,500 per gram.
Based on call data records and phone numbers of arrested ganja and drug suppliers and customers, EAGLE officers have intensified surveillance on carriers.
