Most of the cocaine that is snorted in Hyderabad is smuggled from Bengaluru and Mumbai with the kingpins based there, or sometimes abroad, taking orders through mobile applications. They use drug couriers to smuggle the contraband into the city, deliver it to customers and collect money or pass it to other couriers based here.
This was revealed by officials of the Telangana Prohibition and Excise Department. Apart from this route, a few consumers procure the contraband when they travel to Goa.
While officials suspect that cocaine is smuggled into India through sea route, drug couriers caught by the department are yet to spill any details on it. A gram of cocaine is sold for over ₹6,000 and the price goes up in special cases.
“Drug couriers mostly smuggle the contraband through private buses. They deliver the drugs, collect money and leave the city. In some cases, it is supplied through drug couriers based in Hyderabad,” sources said.
Assistant Excise Superintendent of Enforcement Wing (Hyderabad) N. Anji Reddy said, “Almost 90% of cocaine used by Hyderabad customers comes from kingpins in Mumbai and Bengaluru. They ensure that the drug couriers do not poach their customers. Cash is collected only after drugs are sold,” Mr Anji Reddy said.
