Eight suppliers of high-end narcotics arrested by Excise Department

Hyderabad: In a major breakthrough, the Excise Department arrested eight persons who were involved in supply of high-end narcotics, especially LSD, in and around Hyderabad.

The Excise Department, over the past 30 days, has been making efforts to break the network of suppliers of high-end narcotics, especially LSD. It is due to the Excise Task Force, led by officers Ch. Vijay, V. Vivek and K. Pavan, that the department has been able to achieve a major breakthrough in breaching this nexus.

 

The arrested accused persons are Calvin Mascarenhas (28), Md. Abdul Quddus (29), Md. Abdul Wahed (20), Kundan Singh (23), Aman Naidu (25), V. Nikhil Shetty (23), V. Ravi Kiran (34) and Brendon Ben (20). They are engineering or management graduates.

 

According to Excise Department, all eight persons arrested are drug pushers, dealers or vendors. The department has not arrested anyone who is a user or consumer (Although a legal offence under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act is



made out.)

 

During the investigation, a lot of disturbing facts have been brought forth; primary being by use of drugs by Schools and Colleges students. Advisory notices have been issued, till date, to 26 schools and 27 colleges where it was found that there were sizable number of users.

 

A meeting/interaction has been proposed with Principals/Correspondents of almost 80 schools of Hyderabad on the 14.07.2017. The time and venue is being finalized. A similar exercise would be undertaken regarding colleges also.

 

A Toll Free Number (1800 425 2523) is being publicized so that citizens/ parents /teachers/students who have any information regarding this can pass it on. The names and identities would be protected.

 

The department is also making efforts to extend the fight against drugs from enforcement to education or awareness. Awareness videos are being produced which would be circulated in Media, on WhatsApp/Telegram groups and sent to schools and colleges for use.