There is concern that Hyderabad may possibly be emerging as the primary mode of drug trafficking in India
There is concern that Hyderabad may possibly be emerging as the primary mode of drug trafficking in India
For the typical pub enthusiasts in Hyderabad, a star hotel on Banjara Hills Road No 3 used to be a favorite haunt. Recently, when kin of prominent film stars, bureaucrats, politicians and wealthy businessmen were partying at the place, Hyderabad Police conducted raids. Though the party-goers were brought straight from the dancing floor to the police station, some of their parents later expressed happiness over the police action. Reason: They want their families to recover from substance abuse.
This once again led to discussions that the capital of Telangana is possibly emerging as a primary medium for drug trafficking in the country. Police suspect that several high-end pubs and star hotels have become narcotics hubs, despite “tight surveillance” by them and central anti-narcotics units.
The detection of drugs by various law-enforcement agencies in the city has raised concerns in a section of the government that the actions of enforcement agencies, especially the Telangana Police, would affect the brand image of Hyderabad. However, several senior officials, including the Telangana Police, feel that this is the right time to curb drug abuse, which can become a menace in future if it is not controlled now.
“Investors visiting the state will feel safe if the Telangana government tackles this issue with an iron hand. We have all seen how some states in North India are now facing the consequences of being soft against drug use. They are unable to control it as a large population has become drug addicts in those states,” said Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand.
Customs officials said that with the increasing number of migrants, visas are being issued easily. Investigators believe an Internet-based end-to-end encrypted messaging mobile application provided a secure communication network for drug cartels, middlemen and abusers. Following the seizure of more than half a dozen foreign national drug carriers, mostly Tanzanian nationals, and huge amounts of heroin and cocaine, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and customs officials believe smuggled from African countries The material was to be supplied to peddlers and abusers in Delhi, Jaipur and other major cities of North India, but not to Hyderabad.
In the past few weeks, enforcement officials at the airport seized around Rs 120 crore worth of heroin and Rs 95 crore of cocaine in the gray market. Foreign nationals smuggled cocaine either by swallowing capsules or by hiding powdered ingredients in their check-in or hand baggage. Customs officials said the city’s airport is being used by drug cartels in Africa as a safe transit point, as surveillance is “low” compared to the country’s other international airports.
Now Mr. Anand is trying to bring in coordination between all the agencies that work against drug trafficking, including Customs, Enforcement Directorate, DRI, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Central Industrial Security Force and Central Intelligence Bureau. agencies are involved. Bureau, in addition to the Counter-Intelligence Cell of Telangana Police.
NCB officials estimate that there are around 100 million drug users in India, with drug consumption increasing by 70% in the past eight years. He said that more than 70% of drugs are smuggled into the country through international sea routes, while 20% comes by roadways and the rest by air.
Apart from law enforcement agencies, it is high time that civil society and youth organizations also play a role in controlling this problem by educating people about drug abuse.
deshpande.abhiniay@thehindu.co.in