Drug bust in Hyderabad: Tollywood director and Nigerian nationals from Bengaluru in the net

 Chasing the lead from an earlier drug bust in a service apartment in Madhapur, the Telangana State Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TSNAB) has reportedly nabbed three Nigerian nationals from Bengaluru and a Tollywood film director among others. Officials seized  50 gm of MDMA, 24 ecstasy pills and eight gm of cocaine from the accused.

Meanwhile, Director of TSNAB and Commissioner of Hyderabad City Police, C.V. Anand said that Tollywood actor Navdeep Pallapolu, producer Ravi Uppalapati and owners of city based pubs are absconding in the case.

The three Nigerian nationals, identified as Amobi Chukwudi Muonagolu, 29, Igbawre Micheal, 32, and Thomas Anagha Kalu, 49, were picked up from Bengaluru. Other suspected drug peddlers, including Devarakonda Suresh Rao, 35, a sales manager of a start up in Gachibowli; Kolli Ramchand, 37, who runs a plant nursery; Kurapati Sandeep, 35, a marketing manager of a software firm; film director Anugu Sushanth Reddy, 36, and businessman Pagalla Srikar Krishna Praneeth, 32, were nabbed from Hyderabad.

Earlier on August 31, TSNAB officials nabbed Kapa Bhaskar Balaji, 34, a former Navy officer, K. Venkataratna Reddy, 47, financier for Tollywood, and D. Murali, 42, a senior stenographer at Rail Nilayam, following a raid at a service apartment in Madhapur. Police had seized 2.8 gm cocaine, 6 LSD blots, 25 ecstasy pills, 20 gm of marijuana from the accused. They were allegedly found partying at a flat in Vittal Rao Nagar of Madhapur along with two women, who were allegedly promised roles in movies.

“Amobi Chukwudi used to purchase drugs from a Nigerian National, Kewly, who recently shifted to Nigeria. Igbawre Micheal was purchasing drugs from Ben Frank Wilson alias Bernard and accused Thomas Anagha Kalu was sourcing it from Favour Ugwu, who also shifted back to Nigeria,” said the Police Commissioner.

The Commissioner claimed that big names from the Tollywood film industry had come up in the drug bust and that the officials were gathering evidence to make further arrests.

Amobi Chukwudi is member of ‘All India Nigerian Students & Community Association’ in Bengaluru and has been helping the community members by raising funds under the trust called ‘Help for Bookie & Innocent’ to meet the expenditure of deportation, bail and other legal services.

“Bhaskar Balaji is the main supplier among the Hyderabad crowd and also organises parties. He gives nicknames to his customers and uses the Snapchat application to run the business. Few days back, Balaji and one Ram had met Amobi Chukwudi to buy cocaine and ecstasy pills. Meanwhile, Devarakonda Suresh, Kolli Ramchand, Kuarapati Sandeep, Sushanth Reddy and Pagalla Srikar Krishna Praneeth were regularly purchasing drugs from Balaji and Ram,” the police official claimed. 

Meanwhile, Actor Navdeep took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and posted, “That’s not me gentlemen. I’m right here .. pls clarify thanks”. 

While the three Nigerians were in Hyderabad to deliver a consignment of drugs, based on credible information, the sleuths of TSNAB, along with Gudimalkapur Police, apprehended them. The main drug supplier, Ben Frank Wilson alias Benard, is reportedly at large.

VC held to review the preparatory arrangements for Ganesh and Mila-Un-Nabi

 City Police Commissioner Mr.CV Anand held a video conference with all  zonal DCPs, SHOs and patrol, Blue colts staff to review the preparatory  arrangements for the upcoming Ganesh Chathurthi – idols immersion. 

With  Milad-Un-Nabi and Ganesh immersion final day coinciding on the same day after 35 years, CP Anand exhorted officers of all ranks to be take more  precautions. With some of the SHO s and DCPs being fresh to the city police and doing this bandobust for the first time , the CP and his staff officers spent lot of time in explaining the various aspects of the preparatory works,  for the biggest event in the HCP calendar. 

In a comprehensive briefing, the City Police Chief  elucidated the  six-phase security plan, offering a clear roadmap for handling security & traffic related issues and underscored the importance of each phase in ensuring a smooth celebration.

Phase 1 begins from today and covers  preparations well in advance of idol installation. This phase involves distributing intimation forms and promoting online facility  while formulating Bandobust plans at selling points,enroute  and along procession routes. In Phase-2 Field officers will  visit pandals to bolster security, inspect barricades, signages, CCTVs, Q-maintenance, traffic flow, for the convenience of the public and devotees. 

During phase-3 i.e., planning for immersions officers were instructed to arrange coordination meetings and expedite pending civic works by liaising with concerned departments which sets the stage for phase 4 & 5: Day-3 to the final day for which the officers were tasked to identify the no.of cranes required, locations to be deployed etc., Patrol cars, blue colts were instructed to remain patrolling even after the completion of procession and secure return routes too. 

The senior echelons also stressed  that the directions of the Hon’ble High court should be borne in mind while making arrangements and said that all officers must take measures to immerse the pop idols in baby ponds/artificial ponds. 

Surprise vehicle checking in strategic points, Anti-sabotage checks, surprise checks by senior officers,  flag marches, briefing sessions,  social media monitoring  and other slew of key instructions were given during the VC. Bandobust & traffic arrangements to be taken for Milad-Un-Nabi and other operational aspects were discussed.

“All the festivals since January were conducted peacefully,  and so were so many other programmes and events. Those were all quarter finals and semi finals , Ganesh bandobust is the finals and I am sure you will all rise to the occasion and do equally well. “ concluded the top brass.

Inter-department coordination meeting held at TSPICCC ahead of Ganesh festival

 The Hyderabad City Police hosted  the inter-department  coordination meeting at the Auditorium with the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi members TSPiCCC- Banjara hills for the smooth conduct of the upcoming Ganesh chaturthi festival to be celebrated from September 18th  and the final immersion of idols on 28th. Mr. CV Anand, City police commissioner; Mr.Ronald Rose, GHMC Commissioner; Mr. D.S.Chouhan, CP Rachakonda; Mr. Stephen Ravindra, CP Cyberabad and Bhagya nagar Utsav Samithi general secretary, Mr. Bhagawantha rao and other office bearers, representatives of Khairatabad Ganesh samithi, Electricity department, RTC , water works, HMDA,Irrigation,Metro & MMTS  attended the meeting. 

At the outset the meeting opened the floor to discussion to seek  the opinions of Bhagyanagar utsav samithi, and in response they brought few issues to the fore regarding potholes, illumination to be made at specific places , making available the vehicles and tuskers to Mandapam oranisers and also about water and food arrangements at midnight  on the day of immersion - for which the authorities assured re-dressal and agreed to deploy all material & human resources.The members lauded & appreciated the services of Police, GHMC and other departments. 

CP Anand  in his address emphasised upon the attendees for streamlining the coordination, exchange of information among  Tri-police commissionerates and urged the representatives of the community to comply with the court orders issued in connection with idol immersions etc., The meeting delved into various aspects of the festival celebration, idols immersions and the procession routes and other arrangements. 

 He appealed to duly fill the intimation forms and informed that last year over 15,000 idols above 10 feet were not officially recorded by police and came unattended .online facility is also available to ease the process . He added that the information received will enable to make proper arrangements, without any shortage by teams of all departments.  Proper security, CCTV coverage, other safety precautions to be taken were informed. 

“Lakhs of devotees will participate in this mega event. All departments must ensure  fool proof measures are in place.” He said. 

“Road repair works, illumination, tree pruning works are being done.” Said the GHMC commissioner Ronald . He also apprised the attendees about the baby ponds, excavation ponds and other measures being taken. Coordination booklet with contact numbers of all department officers will be shared across all stake holders, he informed. CP’s Rachakonda & Cyberabad also addressed the gathering and urged to cooperate with the police.

The electricity department officials has briefed on providing transformers, shock proof arrangements at high foot print areas.The transport department officials has assured of providing tuskers, other heavy vehicles. "We have already started the requistion for vehicles and will be pooled at multiple points across the city which would be staffed by RTOs, MVIs and other officers." said Jt.Commissioner Transport Panduranga Naik.

Cranes deployment, barricading, deployment of ambulances, fire brigade, running additional Metro & MMTS services , mobile toilets, water levels, security aspects,  and other issues were discussed in length.

Security review ahead of major events

 In preparation for the upcoming elections and major religious events like Ganesh and Milad ahead, the City Police Commissioner  Mr.CV Anand  conducted a comprehensive review of security aspects and deployment readiness within the City Security Wing and other CAR units -  which handle all the back end arrangements for the Hyderabad City Police functioning ranging from armed force deployment, logistics, fleet management etc., and assists the civil police in  maintenance of Law & order, providing of security to vital installations and VIPs etc.,

  The review encompassed various wings, including the City Security Wing, Home Guards, Mounted units , and Dog Squads etc.,

In the threadbare review of the City Security Wing(CSW), that deploys guards to VIPs protection, he emphasized  the critical importance of remaining  alert. “Security of the protectee  must be your  utmost priority.”  he stressed. He encouraged them to maintain the highest standards of health and discipline in their roles. Furthermore, he assured the CSW personnel that efforts would be made to improve the  working conditions.

The inspection also  included a visit to the Mounted Police unit, where he personally inquired about the health and well-being of the 46 horses and 26 Dogs. He instructed the handlers and unit staff officers, vet doctor  to ensure that  the horses  and canines are in peak condition and well taken care of.  He also  inspected the dog kennels and the horse stables and enquired about their diet , maintenance and exercise and training schedules.

Later he also visited the Home Guards Commandant's office and reviewed the records.  “Home guards play crucial role in supporting the police force during various events and emergencies,and managing traffic.” Said CP Anand lauding their services. 

He also inaugurated a new unit canteen within the premises of the City Security Wing.This new facility  provides  a convenient and comfortable dining option for CSW personnel who work 24/7. 

Mr.M.Srinivasalu IPS, Jt.CP(CAR & Training); Mr.Alex, DCP CSW; and other officers  briefed the CP on the going activities,  infrastructure projects within CAR and their shortages and requirements

CP helds meeting with peace committee members

 At the outset, Sri Krishna Sharma, general secretary of the Central peace committee reminisced the services of peace committee since 4 decades, and the zonal presidents, other office bearers spoke about the significance of unity in a city, and acknowledged the fact that the  law and order, peace propelled the state and city to new heights across  all spheres. 

Addressing the peace committee members, CP Anand urged to engage in constructive dialogues with locals, identity  issues pertaining to disputed sites, hatred  & report to police , and countering the spread of misinformation on social media platforms through the new IT wings in the peace Committee, being led by the youngsters on board. They were told to be on ground during all festivals, processions.  He also reminisced about his longstanding association with the peace committee members. 

He opined that the Zonal ,PS level peace committees composition should be based on the problems being reported in that specific area to nullify the problems immediately. “Aap apna Dilse Kamakamarthetey.” He lauded the members and urged the youngsters to be well disciplined and be messengers of peace and  earn respect in their localities. The police officers also sought the cooperation in spread awareness  on  drug abuse, women safety, traffic and Cyber crime issues. 

In his closing remarks, he  urged for continued cooperation among all community members and  stressed that while only 0.1 percent  might attempt to disrupt the peace, the combined efforts of the majority could effectively counter any such nuisances. He urged the peace committee members to continue their tireless work in preserving the city's reputation as a harmonious and safe haven for all.

Mr.Vikram Singh Mann, Addl.CP(l&O) – peace committee chairman, Mr.Viswaprasad,Addl.CP SB,  Zonal DCPs shared key insights during this interactive meeting, and delved in detail about the precautions to be taken at pandals, procession points etc.,

The meeting also witnessed felicitating the members, and mementos were presented.All zonal ACPs attended the meeting.