Article Today, Hyderabad:
Medical students at MediCiti Medical College in Medchal have been found running a ganja business. Investigations revealed that students in their third year were involved in selling the drug on campus. According to Hyderabad Anti-Narcotics Bureau Inspector Venkateshwarulu, the names emerged during the police “Eagle” operation against drug abuse. Drug tests confirmed ganja use among several students. They were later sent to a de-addiction centre. Police said senior students introduced juniors to the drug and also sold it to them.
Arrest Leads to Bigger Trail
Police arrested Harafat Ali Khan, a peddler from Bollaram, for supplying ganja to medical students. He had been buying the drug from Zarina Banu in Bidar and selling it to students. The case began when police stopped 23-year-old Arfat Ahmed Khan during a routine check. They found 2 kg of ganja worth Rs. 50,000 in his bike. Initially, they thought he was a small-time peddler. However, his mobile phone revealed a contact list of 84 users. Among them, 26 were medical students from the Medchal campus. Investigations showed that over the past three years, more than 100 students had purchased ganja from him.
Woman Kingpin with Crore-Level Target
Police traced Arfat’s supply source to Zarina Khan, a woman from Bidar. She is believed to have about 50 peddlers like Arfat working for her. Despite being illiterate, Zarina allegedly runs a well-organised network from her home. She buys ganja in bulk from Bidar, repackages it into smaller packets, and supplies them to Hyderabad peddlers. Police estimate her annual earnings from the trade at Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 1.5 crore.
Financial Trail Under Probe
Investigators have found large sums of money in Zarina’s bank accounts. They are now analysing these transactions. Police expect more startling details to emerge as the probe continues.
