Marijuana trade shifts to new areas in Hyderabad amid crackdown

Crackdowns in traditional drug hubs have pushed marijuana traffickers to shift operations to new areas in Hyderabad, with emerging interstate supply routes and rising consumption among youth, prompting intensified monitoring and enforcement by authorities.

Hyderabad: The smuggling and illegal trade of marijuana in the city is undergoing a shift in operations, gradually moving away from traditional hubs in the heart of the city and spreading into new areas, including the suburbs.

Following intensified action by the police and excise departments, including ‘Operation Dhoolpet’ in 2024, which resulted in the arrest of around 200 drug peddlers, activity in Dhoolpet and Mangalhat areas has reduced significantly. However, enforcement has led traffickers to adopt new routes and methods to continue their operations.

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Arrests of several drug peddlers and busting of drug rackets and investigation into them in recent times indicated that parts of the older parts of the city, particularly around Charminar, Nampally, Afzalgunj, Mallepally, Golconda, Tolichowki and others are emerging as key hotspots for redistribution.

From here, marijuana is being supplied to various parts of the city, including suburban locations.

A new supply route has reportedly developed from Bidar in Karnataka. Small quantities are being transported through buses, trains and private vehicles, often evading police checks.

Law enforcement authorities believe that multiple drug carriers are involved in bringing the substance into Hyderabad, where it is sold at significantly higher prices.

In addition to Bidar, sources indicate that marijuana is also being transported from Bhubaneswar in Odisha, pointing to an expanding interstate network.

It was also observed that there has been an increasing consumption of marijuana reported among students and young professionals. Areas with a concentration of engineering and medical colleges, as well as IT hubs, are witnessing rising demand. Apart from this, some students are also suspected of acting as couriers, transporting small quantities on two-wheelers to make easy money.

Officials said a focused crackdown on newly identified hotspots, along with continuous monitoring, is being done to control the spread of marijuana in the city.