Cherlapally drug bust: ED likely to step in the multi-crore drug case probe

A multi-crore drug racket operating out of Cherlapally, Hyderabad, has triggered a nationwide investigation involving the Enforcement Directorate, Narcotics Control Bureau, and Maharashtra Police. The seizure of Mephedrone from Vagdevi Labs has revealed links to hawala transactions and international drug syndicates.

Hyderabad: The multi-crore drug racket, which was busted recently at a chemical lab on the outskirts in Cherlapally, has now come under the scanner of multiple central agencies, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) likely to join the investigation.

The ED officials are expected to now probe the possible hawala transactions and money laundering linked to the massive seizure of Mephedrone (MD) drug from Vagdevi Labs in Cherlapally.

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The case first came to light when the Crime Branch of Maharashtra Police unearthed large-scale production of raw materials used in MD drug manufacture at the chemical factory. Since then, the probe has widened, drawing in the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), which collected evidence at the factory site and gathered crucial leads pointing to interstate and international supply chains.

According to investigators, the prime suspect Srinivas Vijay has allegedly been manufacturing and distributing MD substance for over a decade. His suspected links with foreign agents have raised concerns about global drug syndicates operating through Hyderabad.

The ED authorities believe that huge sums of money were funneled into the trade, with a portion routed through hawala channels, prompting its intervention.

Police sources further revealed that Tanaji Pandarinath Patwari and others closely assisted Srinivas Vijay in production and delivery operations. Two Mumbai-based suspects – Fazal and Mustafa, were frequent visitors to Cherlapally to oversee consignments.

With the ED, NCB, and Maharashtra Police now coordinating their efforts, the Cherlapally drug racket has evolved into a national-level investigation, with the potential to expose a vast drug and money laundering network spanning multiple states and countries.

So far, 13 suspects were arrested and jailed. The Maharashtra Police are set to seek their custody for interrogation, which is expected to shed light on additional financial trails, hidden networks, and possible overseas links.