In a coordinated operation involving the Commissioner’s Task Force and Musheerabad police, two individuals were arrested Saturday for their involvement in the sale of hash oil near Risalagadda in Hyderabad. Police seized 367 grams of the illicit substance, packaged in 53 small plastic containers, along with a two-wheeler and three mobile phones, according to officials.

The Arrests and the Seizure

The arrested individuals were identified as 34-year-old Dovari Jyothi Ratna Pradeep, a resident of Balaji Nagar in Yapral, and 46-year-old Kota Vijay Kumar, from Golkonda Cross Roads in Musheerabad. According to police, Pradeep was the supplier of the hash oil, while Kumar was the buyer.

Pradeep allegedly procured the substance in bulk from contacts in Andhra Pradesh for about ₹50,000 per litre. The narcotic was then repackaged into five-gram containers and sold to consumers for ₹2,000 to ₹2,500 per unit. Kumar reportedly purchased one container for ₹2,000 in cash.

Background and Motives

Investigation revealed that Pradeep, who had previously been arrested in a hash oil case in Guntur in 2022, began procuring and selling the substance due to financial difficulties. He allegedly operated with the help of an associate, Shaik Mahaboob Basha, who managed customer contact details and facilitated transactions.

Kota Vijay Kumar also had a prior arrest record for a narcotics-related case, according to police. The Task Force acted on specific intelligence, intercepting Pradeep while he was waiting to deliver the hash oil to Kumar in Musheerabad.

Both suspects were apprehended and handed over to the Musheerabad police for further investigation, officials said.

Impact on Local Communities and Law Enforcement

The seizure highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in curbing the illicit trade of hash oil, a substance that has been increasingly linked to public health and safety concerns. In recent years, similar raids have been conducted in various parts of Telangana, with police reporting a rise in the number of cases involving hash oil distribution.

According to the state’s narcotics control board, hash oil-related arrests have increased by 22% in the past year, with more than 1,200 cases registered across the state in 2023. The police said the repackaging of hash oil into smaller containers is a growing trend, making it easier to distribute and evade detection.

Officials emphasized that the operation demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated efforts between different police units. ‘This case shows that we are targeting both the suppliers and the consumers of illegal drugs,’ a senior police officer said.

The seized 367 grams of hash oil is equivalent to approximately 73 containers of the substance, each weighing five grams. The repackaging method used by Pradeep suggests a deliberate effort to distribute the drug in smaller quantities, potentially to attract a wider customer base.

Police are now reviewing the case to determine if any further arrests or investigations are required, with the possibility of prosecuting the suspects under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

The case also highlights the need for continued public awareness campaigns about the dangers of hash oil, which has been linked to respiratory issues, cognitive impairment, and other health problems.