In a significant breakthrough, the city police have successfully dismantled four gangs engaged in the supply and sale of sedative injections to individuals across the city. Eight individuals have been apprehended in connection with the operation, and a staggering 7,250 ampoules of Pentazocine Lactate, commonly known as Fortwin sedative injections, have been seized.
One of the notable raids was carried out by the II Town Police, in collaboration with the City Task Force (CTF), near the Railway Quarters’ dilapidated area on the night of May 14. Three suspects, identified as Kalla Hari Padma Raghava Rao, P. Ravi, and K. Chiranjeevi, were arrested during the operation. Five additional members of the gang remain at large. The police confiscated 2,100 ampoules of sedative injections packed in 42 boxes, along with 21 kg of ganja.
In a separate incident, the police, accompanied by the CTF, conducted raids near a lodge in Allipuram on the night of May 17, leading to the apprehension of three individuals: B. Srinu alias Lara, B. Lakshmi, and G. Venkata Sai. They were caught while allegedly attempting to distribute sedative injections. Another suspect connected to the gang is yet to be captured. The police seized 2,050 ampoules of sedative injections contained in 41 boxes.
Furthermore, officials from the Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) Pendurthi arrested G. Uma Maheshwar for being in possession of 3,000 ampoules of injections, while another team from SEB apprehended B. Venkatesh with 100 ampoules of injections in PM Palem.
During a press conference held at the police conference hall, Commissioner of Police CM Trivikrama Varma emphasized that all the accused had procured the sedatives from individuals in West Bengal. He highlighted that the use of these sedatives can lead to addiction and severe respiratory problems, urging the youth to abstain from such dangerous substances.
The Commissioner further noted that the sedatives should only be sold with a doctor’s prescription, and even in such cases, the details of the buyers must be recorded by the medical shop representatives. Violating these regulations, the sedatives were being sold illicitly. The sedative injections, typically used as anesthesia before surgeries, were purchased by the accused for ₹30 to ₹40 each and sold at a significantly higher price of ₹300.
The police continue their investigation into the matter to apprehend the remaining suspects and gather more information about the illegal drug trade. The successful raids and arrests have dealt a significant blow to the illegal supply and sale of sedative injections, ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.