Hyderabad Police Uncover Major Illegal LPG Operation in Graveyard
In a significant enforcement action, Hyderabad police have successfully dismantled a clandestine illegal LPG trade network that was operating out of a graveyard in the upscale Banjara Hills area. The crackdown resulted in the arrest of 10 individuals and the seizure of LPG cylinders valued at more than Rs 21.8 lakh, exposing a sophisticated racket that had been evading authorities for nearly one and a half years.
Raid Uncovers Covert Storage and Distribution Hub
Acting on precise intelligence, sleuths from the task force (Jubilee Hills zone) collaborated with Banjara Hills police to conduct a targeted raid on Sunday at a graveyard located near Nagarjuna X Road. The operation revealed a hidden storage and distribution setup where commercial LPG cylinders were stockpiled and illegally sold at exorbitantly inflated prices across Hyderabad. A total of 414 cylinders—comprising both filled and empty units—were confiscated, alongside multiple vehicles used for transportation purposes.
Key Arrests and Roles in the Racket
The arrested individuals include Mohammed Aamir (42), identified as the primary accused and gas supplier, along with accomplices such as Mohammed Yousuf, Mohammed Ismail, A Rama Rao, Lok Kumar, Mohammed Sakruddin, Mohammed Muntaz Ansari, Mohammed Minaj Ansari, Rajesh Pal, and Ram Raj Singh. These individuals played various roles within the network, ranging from drivers and delivery personnel to labourers and facilitators, ensuring the smooth operation of the illicit trade.
Modus Operandi and Regulatory Violations
Investigators disclosed that Aamir operated a licensed outlet, Metro gas agency, with a godown in Mamidipalle, Shamshabad, and an office in Afzalgunj. Despite holding a valid licence issued in October 2023, he allegedly diverted commercial LPG cylinders for illegal sale. The cylinders were transported and stored at the graveyard with the assistance of labourers, blatantly violating safety and regulatory norms. According to Ch Yadender, task force inspector, Aamir would allegedly convince restaurant owners to provide written requests falsely claiming they were running hostels or orphanages to justify bulk purchases, which were then diverted for profit.
Steep Price Inflation and Safety Concerns
The price mark-up in this illegal trade was substantial, exploiting demand in the market. For instance, a 19 kg cylinder, typically priced around ₹2,000, was sold for up to ₹6,000. Similarly, a 47 kg cylinder costing about ₹4,000 was sold for ₹8,000 or more, depending on demand. Even smaller 5 kg cylinders, usually priced at ₹500, were sold for as much as ₹2,000. The seizure included specific quantities: 30 filled 47 kg cylinders, 148 filled 19 kg cylinders, 192 empty 19 kg cylinders, 35 filled 5 kg cylinders, and 9 empty 5 kg cylinders, highlighting the scale of the operation.
Complicity and Further Investigations
Police investigations also revealed that Ram Singh, caretaker of a nearby temple, was allegedly paid ₹5,000 per month to permit the storage of cylinders in the graveyard. This site served as a discreet hub, enabling the accused to avoid detection while supplying customers. Inspector Yadender emphasized that the entire stock consisted of commercial cylinders, and the operation not only breached licensing rules but also posed severe safety risks due to unsafe storage in a public area. Authorities are continuing their probe to identify other involved parties and examine gaps in monitoring and distribution systems.
