Hyderabad drug bust: SIT issues notice to pub owners to appear for interrogation

The owners have been asked to appear before investigators at on Saturday.
Hyderabad drug bust: SIT issues notice to pub owners to appear for interrogation
Hyderabad drug bust: SIT issues notice to pub owners to appear for interrogation
Written by:

Telangana's Prohibition and Excise Department has reportedly served notices to 16 pubs in Hyderabad, and asked its owners to appear in front of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the massive drug racket uncovered in the city last month. 

The Times of India reported that the owners of the pubs -- High life, Troy, kismat, Playboy, B & C, Air, Runs, Stone Waters, Over The Moon, Heart Cup Coffee, Beats Per Minute, Hydrogen, Club X 3, Aqua, F Club, OTMb and Club Rey -- have been asked to appear before the SIT at 11am on Saturday.

The notices were served based on the interrogation of the alleged kingpin of the drug racket, Calvin Mascarenhas. 

The sensational racket busted by authorities, found that about 1,000 students of leading private schools and colleges in the city were using high-end drugs such as LSD and MDMA. Some of them were as young as 13.

The officials said that Calvin Mascarenhas was placing orders on the Darknet, and the drugs were being delivered by couriers, including from overseas.

The racket also exposed the dark underbelly of Tollywood, as the dealers were also supplying drugs to several personalities from the Telugu industry.

Officials later said that a lot of the drugs were delivered to rich customers, at these pubs and bars, under the cover of darkness, and loud music. This included several Tollywood personalities.

Pubs in the posh areas of Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills were said to be the main offenders.

“We will explain to them that no drugs or any other narcotics substances can be sold, consumed or exchanged within their premises. They will also be told that punitive action will be initiated against those pubs and bars, if any, which are found to violating the rule. We want to minimise any of such instances (drug usage or distribution). It is the responsibility of pubs to ensure that banned stuff is not used in their premises,” an official had told PTI earlier.

Last month, Excise officials held a meeting with various representatives of pubs and bars in connection with drug abuse, and suspended the license of F-Club in Film Nagar.

The department had also issued a warning to 14 other bars and clubs in the city, as some of them had become hubs to consume and sell drugs.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The News Minute
www.thenewsminute.com