Telangana’s Drug Menace Escalates, Seizures Soar in First Quarter of 2024
Telangana has encountered a surge in drug seizures during the first three months of 2024. The state recorded a total of 487 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, resulting in 981 arrests. February witnessed the highest number of cases at 167, followed by 162 in January and 158 in March. This represents a staggering 80.28% increase compared to the pre-pandemic quarter in 2019.
Ganja Dominates Drug Seizures
Among the 15 drug categories seized, ganja emerged as the most prevalent, with approximately 5,900 kilograms confiscated. January accounted for 2,111.16 grams, while February and March saw 1691.47 grams and 2,098.30 grams seized, respectively. S. Rashmi Perumal, in-charge of the Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing (HNEW), attributed the prevalence of ganja to its accessibility, affordability, and versatility. He noted a concerning trend of minors getting involved in drug cases, often starting with ganja use.
Ganja Chocolates and Other Drug Seizures
A significant quantity of ganja chocolates, amounting to 5,804.38 kilograms, was confiscated by authorities. January, February, and March yielded 2,455.38 grams, 1,566 grams, and 1,783 grams, respectively. Additionally, 87 ganja plants were seized during this period. In the natural drug category, 5.64 kilograms of hash oil were seized, including 2.91 kilograms in March alone. Semi-synthetic drug seizures included 22.3 kilograms of cocaine, 251.3 grams of heroin, and 48 cannabis pills.
Synthetic and Pharmaceutical Drug Seizures
Synthetic drugs like MDMA and LSD have gained popularity among younger consumers. Over 166 grams of MDMA and 32 LSD pills were confiscated. Additionally, 2 kilograms of alprazolam and 114 milliliters of ampoules were seized. The rise in drug abuse, particularly among minors, has prompted the state to prioritize demand reduction through awareness campaigns and enforcement drives in Hyderabad schools.