The Telangana authorities are cracking down on a major drug racket in Hyderabad and found that more than 1,000 students are purchasing high end drugs. The authorities on Wednesday have asked 26 schools and 27 colleges to keep an eye out for erratic behavior among students. The students found to be clients of these peddlers are as young as 13 and buying synthetic drugs like LSD and MDMA.
The Enforcement Director Akun Sabharwal, announced another arrest of eight individuals involved in the drug racket. The authorities have sent a letter to the heads of educational institutions that have the most number of users.
The letters did not name the students that were addicted to drugs but instead asked the schools and colleges to watch out for the different behaviors in the students. They have also advised the heads of these institutions to monitor the shops around the institution which have been used to sell these drugs.
The schools and colleges have also been asked to conduct counseling sessions for the students on the dangers of drugs. The students are spending around Rs. 4,000 a week on drugs, their parents as well have been asked to keep an eye on the money expenditure of their children.
Students in class eight and nine are involved in consuming these drugs, the parents have been advised to monitor the children’s mobile phones as well.
Of the eight arrested was a man named Brendon Ben and was taken into custody on Wednesday morning. He is a hotel management graduate and works for an event management company.
The authorities have arrested only the peddlers who have well educated people living in the city. The people involved in the drug racket are from the film industry, MNCs and hospitality.
The first arrest made was Calvin Mascarenhas a former bank employee turned musician. Along with him Abdul Quddus an MBA student from Australia working in an MNC in the city. V. Nikhil Shetty, the owner of a startup and V. Ravi Kiran, a yoga instructor were also arrested.
Enforcement Director Akun Sabharwal said, “The department has not arrested anyone who is a user or consumer, although a legal offense under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act is made out.”
He further informed that they plan on conducting a meeting with the principals and correspondents of nearly 80 schools in the city on July 14th. The authorities will conduct a similar meeting with colleges as well.
The department has also started a toll free number for citizens to give any information they might have on drugs and related activity. The authorities have also reassured the identity of the people will not be revealed. If anyone has any information regarding the use or sale of high end drugs, they are urged to call 1800 425 2523.
Sabharwal further added, “Awareness videos are being produced which would be circulated in media, on WhatsApp/Telegram groups and sent to schools and colleges for use.”
