The Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) uncovered medical professionals diverting narcotics from operation theatres to supply addicts over the past year. Additionally, hospitals were found stocking and selling unlicensed narcotics, linked to rogue pharmacists and habitual offenders.
Published Dec 05, 2024 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 05, 2024 | 9:36 AM
narcotic drug suppliers in Telangana
The sprawling network of narcotic drug diversion and illegal manufacturing in Telangana thrives on sophisticated tactics, blending legitimate pharmaceutical access with covert operations.
The Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) has uncovered Medical professionals misused access to narcotic drugs diverted potent drugs from operation theatres and supplied them to addicts in the last year.
Similarly, hospitals were caught stocking and selling narcotics without requisite licenses, fueled by supply chains involving habitual offenders and rogue pharmacists.
Also, illegal manufacturing units disguised as legitimate pharmaceutical facilities are another critical link in the syndicate’s operation. Industrial areas like Sangareddy and Ranga Reddy districts became hotspots for producing banned substances such as 3-Methylmethcathinone (3-MMC) and Alpha-PiHP.
At the retail end, unlicensed medical shops in Hyderabad and Secunderabad played a significant role in the illegal sale of habit-forming drugs.
Raids revealed widespread exploitation of weak regulatory mechanisms, leading to license cancellations and suspensions across the city. This sprawling operation points out a dangerous blend of professional misuse, industrial malpractice, and retail noncompliance, requiring enhanced regulatory oversight to tackle the menace.
In a significant crackdown on the illegal diversion of narcotic drugs from medical facilities, the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) of Telangana, in collaboration with multiple law enforcement agencies, busted a covert operation orchestrated by Dr. G. Madanmohan, an ENT surgeon at Manasa ENT Hospital in Jagtial.
Over two days, on 15th and 16th March 2024, the DCA, along with the Telangana State Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TSNAB), Prohibition & Excise Department, Commissioner’s Task Force, Hyderabad, Kushaiguda Police, and Jagtial District Police, uncovered a scheme involving the misuse of operation theatre stock. The narcotics were packaged and sent to Hyderabad via courier, ultimately supplying an addict in Sainikpuri in the city.
“During the raids, officials seized substantial quantities of potent narcotic drugs, including VERMOR-15 and Rumorf (Morphine Sulphate Injections of varying strengths), Rumorf-CR-30 Tablets (Morphine Sulphate Controlled Release), and psychotropic substances such as Ozatcel 30 (Pentazocine Injection), Mezolam (Midazolam Injection), and Bupregesic Patches (Buprenorphine Transdermal),” said the DCA in a statement.
The contraband was recovered from the residence of the recipient addict in Hyderabad. Following the seizure, Dr. Madanmohan was arrested, and a case was registered under the NDPS Act at Kushaiguda Police Station.
Authorities also took action against the pharmacy involved in the diversion, revoking the license of Maanvitha Pharmacy, located within Manasa ENT Hospital. The operation highlights the alarming misuse of medical establishments and professional credentials to channel narcotic drugs into illegal markets, raising concerns over the need for stringent regulatory mechanisms in healthcare facilities.
For individuals with addiction, the misuse or illicit distribution of drugs like Tizanidine Hydrochloride, Amantadine Hydrochloride, Dapoxetine Hydrochloride, and Diacerein can have serious consequences. Tizanidine, typically used to treat muscle spasms, when abused, can cause sedation, dizziness, and hypotension, leading to a dangerous mix of physical impairment and potential overdose. Amantadine, which is prescribed for Parkinson’s and viral infections, can lead to confusion, hallucinations, and severe psychiatric effects when misused.
Dapoxetine, which is designed to treat premature ejaculation, can cause dizziness, headaches, and nausea when not used as directed, with potential for abuse due to its serotonin-increasing effects. Diacerein, typically used to treat osteoarthritis, can lead to gastrointestinal issues and liver damage when abused. Addiction to any of these substances can escalate to severe physical and mental health issues, including dependence, overdose, and long-term organ damage.
In a major blow to the illegal manufacturing and distribution of psychotropic substances, the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) of Telangana, in collaboration with the Prohibition & Excise Department, carried out a series of successful operations in March 2024, seizing large quantities of illicit drugs.
On 21st March, a joint operation based on an alert from INTERPOL led to the busting of an illegal manufacturing unit producing 3-Methylmethcathinone (3-MMC), a drug of abuse also known as Metaphedrone.
The operation took place at PSN Medicare Private Ltd. in IDA Bollaram, Sangareddy District, where authorities seized 90.48 kilograms of 3-MMC, valued at ₹8.99 crores. This substance, widely used recreationally by drug addicts, was being illicitly produced and distributed across the drug market.
The following day, on 22 March, another joint operation by DCA and the Prohibition & Excise Department led to the busting of two more illegal manufacturing units—one producing Alpha-PiHP at Medchem Labs in IDA Bollaram, and another manufacturing 3-MMC at Vanamali Organics Pvt. Ltd. in IDA Mankhal, Ranga Reddy District.
In total, authorities seized 2.85 kilograms of Alpha-PiHP worth ₹1.19 crores and 11.5 kilograms of 3-MMC worth ₹1.14 crores. These substances, both psychostimulants, are frequently abused for their narcotic effects. The total value of the seized stock from the two operations amounted to ₹2.33 crores.
“These operations are part of a larger crackdown on the illegal drug trade in Telangana, demonstrating curbing the production and distribution of harmful substances. The seizures of 3-MMC and Alpha-PiHP not only highlight the growing problem of drug abuse in the region but also underscore the critical role of international cooperation in tracking and dismantling illicit drug manufacturing operations,” said the DCA.
On 30 October 2024, the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) of Telangana, in collaboration with the Prohibition & Excise Department, successfully busted an illegal network involved in the procurement, stocking, and sale of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in Hyderabad.
A raid was conducted at GV Saluja Hospital in Secunderabad, where officers discovered large quantities of controlled substances, including Fentanyl Injections, Ketamine Hydrochloride Injections, Pentazocine Injections, and Midazolam Injections, all stored unlawfully for sale without the necessary NDPS license. The investigation revealed that Neha Bhagwath, a habitual offender with prior NDPS cases, was the key supplier of these drugs to the hospital.
Further investigation led authorities to the residence of Neha Bhagwath in Moulali, Malkajgiri, where even more narcotic drugs, including Morphine Injections, Fentanyl Citrate Injections, and Pentazocine Injections, were found. Bhagwath admitted to procuring these substances illegally from Dinesh of Pioneer Drug House in Nagpur.
The operation also resulted in the arrest of key individuals involved in the illegal supply chain, including Bhagwath herself, as well as Patturi Gopinath, an employee at GV Saluja Hospital; Surender Singh Gusia, an operation theatre technician; and B. Srinivas, a pharmacist at the hospital.
A case under the NDPS Act has been registered at the Secunderabad Prohibition & Excise Station.
In another incident, on 7th and 8th November 2024, a joint operation by the DCA of and the Prohibition & Excise Department successfully uncovered the illegal stocking and sale of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in private hospitals across Hyderabad.
The targeted hospitals included Bakoban Hospital in Chandrayangutta and BVK Reddy Hospital in Warasiguda, Secunderabad. The raids were prompted by credible intelligence about the illegal possession and sale of controlled substances. During the operation, officials seized substantial quantities of narcotic drugs, including Fentanyl Injections (50 mcg/ml ampoules), as well as psychotropic substances like Ketamine Hydrochloride Injections (50 mg/ml vials) and Midazolam Injections (1mg/ml in 10 ml vials).
“The seized drugs were stored illegally for sale at both hospitals without the necessary NDPS license, violating strict regulations governing the distribution of such substances. The operation underscores the ongoing issue of unauthorized distribution of narcotics in private medical facilities,” said DCA.
Following the raids, cases have been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Charminar and Musheerabad Prohibition & Excise Stations.
In a targeted operation against the illegal sale of habit-forming drugs, the DCA, acting on inputs from the Commissioner’s Task Force, Hyderabad, carried out raids on several medical shops across the city.
The special drive focused on the unauthorized sale of addictive substances, including Codeine-containing cough syrups, Nitrazepam (Nitravet) Tablets, Alprazolam (Restyl) Tablets, Tramadol (Ultracet) Tablets, and Tapentadol (Tydol) Tablets. These drugs, known for their potential for abuse, were found to be sold without the necessary prescriptions or licenses, violating regulatory guidelines.
During the operation, the DCA took strict action by suspending the licenses of twenty medical shops operating in the Hyderabad and Secunderabad zones. Additionally, the license of one medical shop was completely cancelled for its involvement in the illegal sale of these habit-forming drugs.
In a series of coordinated raids carried out by the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) between October 2023 and January 2024, officers uncovered significant cases of unlicensed drug manufacturing and illegal stocking of controlled substances. In October and November 2023, DCA officers detected the unlicensed production of Tizanidine Hydrochloride at SV Labs Pvt. Ltd in Koyyalagudem Village, Choutuppal Mandal, Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri District. Additionally, officers found an unlicensed stocking of Amantadine Hydrochloride at the same location. Both substances were seized, and the total worth of the confiscated drugs amounted to ₹66 lakhs.
Tizanidine Hydrochloride is a muscle relaxant typically prescribed for managing muscle spasms, while Amantadine Hydrochloride is used to treat Parkinson’s disease and certain viral infections. The illegal manufacturing and sale of these drugs pose serious risks, as they are often distributed without proper regulation, which can lead to misuse, adverse health effects, and addiction.
In December 2023, DCA officers raided Meka Labs in Gaddapotharam Village, Jinnaram Mandal, Sangareddy District, where they discovered unlicensed manufacturing of Dapoxetine Hydrochloride, a drug commonly used to treat premature ejaculation.
During the raid, 284 kilograms of Dapoxetine Hydrochloride, valued at ₹20 lakhs, were seized. In January 2024, another raid at Rakshit Drugs Pvt. Ltd. in Bonthapally Village, Gummadidala Mandal, Sangareddy District, revealed the unlicensed production of Diacerein, a drug used to treat osteoarthritis. Officers seized 236 kilograms of Diacerein, worth ₹50.25 lakhs. These actions highlight the DCA’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on unlicensed manufacturing and ensure public safety in the pharmaceutical sector.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
