A significant drug trafficking network operating between Bengaluru and coastal Andhra Pradesh has been dismantled by the police in Vijayawada. The case took a dramatic turn when one of the accused managed to escape from police custody right outside the station, triggering a massive manhunt.
The Hotel Raid and Initial Arrests
Acting on intelligence, the NTR district task force conducted a raid at a hotel located in the Machavaram area. During the operation, they apprehended three individuals who were allegedly consuming the synthetic drug MDMA. The police seized approximately 10 grams of MDMA from the scene. The arrested persons and the confiscated evidence, including vehicles, were subsequently handed over to the Machavaram police for a detailed investigation.
The individuals taken into custody were identified as Venkata Jagadeesh Kumar from Madhura Nagar and Akhilesh from Ajith Singh Nagar, both residents of Vijayawada. Investigations revealed that the duo, who had dropped out of college, were introduced to narcotics through social gatherings. Their habit gradually escalated into a small-scale supply chain, as they began procuring MDMA from Bengaluru for personal use and distribution within their friend circle in Vijayawada.
The Inter-City Drug Procurement Operation
Police pieced together a detailed sequence of events leading to the bust. On December 19, Jagadeesh and Akhilesh drove to Bengaluru. There, they purchased 19 grams of MDMA from a supplier named Mahesh for ₹36,000. During their stay, they were contacted by Rajesh, a resident of Nellore, through a mutual acquaintance. Rajesh requested 2 grams of MDMA and transferred ₹20,000 to Jagadeesh via UPI.
Initially, Jagadeesh returned the money, citing heightened police surveillance. However, after persistent requests from Rajesh, he relented and sourced the additional quantity from another Bengaluru-based supplier identified as Teja.
The Journey Back and Dramatic Escape
On their return journey to Vijayawada, the group stopped in Nellore. Rajesh collected the contraband and consumed a portion along with the others. The car belonging to Jagadeesh developed a mechanical fault and was abandoned in Nellore. The trio then proceeded to Vijayawada in Rajesh's vehicle and checked into the Machavaram hotel, where they consumed the remaining drugs before the police raid.
The situation took an unexpected turn after the arrests. When the police brought the accused to the station, they found the car doors unlocked while parking. As officers instructed Rajesh to secure the vehicle, he allegedly seized the opportunity. He jumped into the driver's seat, started the car, and sped away from the police station premises, evading custody.
Special police teams have been formed to track down and apprehend the fugitive, Rajesh. Meanwhile, Jagadeesh and Akhilesh have been formally arrested and charged under the relevant sections of the NDPS Act. In a parallel investigation, separate police teams have been dispatched to Bengaluru to locate and arrest the suppliers, Mahesh and Teja. The investigation into the full extent of the inter-city drug network is actively ongoing.
