Hyderabad: Interstate drug peddler held with Rs 1 crore worth drugs

The Special Operations Team, Malkajgiri, and Keesara police arrested Lokesh Bareth, an interstate drug peddler from Rajasthan, in Hyderabad and seized 7 kg of opium and 2 kg of poppy straw worth Rs 1 crore. Efforts continue to trace his associate

Hyderabad: In a joint operation, the Special Operations Team (SOT), Malkajgiri, and the Keesara police have arrested an interstate drug peddler allegedly involved in opium and poppy straw peddling and seized Rs 1 crore worth of contraband near Kundanpally ORR Rotary on Thursday.

The suspect, identified as Lokesh Bareth (26) of Rajasthan and a hotel management graduate, turned to drug peddling after losing his job. Following instructions from his associate Jagadish Gujjar, who is currently absconding, Lokesh smuggled the drugs from Rajasthan to Hyderabad in a passenger train.

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Police said Lokesh had earlier delivered 2 kg of opium in Hyderabad in August. He was caught near Kundanpally ORR Rotary while attempting to deliver the contraband.

Police seized 7 kg of opium and 2 kg of poppy straw, altogether worth Rs 1 crore. The Keesara police are investigating. Efforts are on to trace and nab Jagadish Gujjar, the main supplier.