Hyderabad Customs Destroy Nearly 9,000 Kg Seized Drugs Worth Rs 295 Crore

The drugs, seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) of Hyderabad and the Hyderabad Customs, were destroyed as part of the 'Nasha Mukht Bharat' campaign.

The Hyderabad Customs in collaboration with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) destroyed various drugs and psychotropic substances weighing around 8,950 kg valued at Rs 295 crore on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit trafficking, PTI reported.

According to an official release, the drugs seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) of Hyderabad and the Hyderabad Customs were destroyed as part of the 'Nasha Mukht Bharat' (Drug-free India) and 'Say No to Drugs' campaigns initiated by the Central government.

"The destruction of these drugs aligns with the government's efforts to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking in India," the statement said.

The destroyed drugs included 2655.942 kg of cannabis (ganja), 11 kg of heroin,  142.932 kg of Ephedrine Hydrochloride and related materials, 409.39 kg of Alprazolam and related materials, 74.92 kg of Ketamine Hydrochloride,  53.983 kg of Methaqualone, 5595.14 kg of chemicals and 2.956 kg of Mephedrone, used for the clandestine manufacture of Ephedrine.

Among the drugs destroyed, 11 kg of heroin, valued at approximately Rs 77 crore, was seized by the DRI from passengers traveling from Malawi, Tanzania, and Angola at the International Airport in Hyderabad during April and May 2022.

The narcotics were incinerated at the M/s Hyderabad Waste Management Project, located in Dundigul village of the Medchal-Malkajgiri District, the release said.

Earlier, Tollywood producer KP Chowdhary was detained by the Cyberabad Police for alleged drug possession. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) apprehended him as he was leaving his residence in Kismatpur, located in Hyderabad's Rajendranagar neighborhood. During the arrest, the police discovered 90 sachets of cocaine weighing 82.75 grams in his possession.

The producer of the film 'Kabali' had reportedly been in Goa for some time and allegedly purchased drugs there. It is believed that he had consumed or sold around 100 sachets, but the police only recovered 90 sachets from him. Reports suggest that at the time of his apprehension, he was possibly en route to deliver drugs to customers.