Major Political Figures Detained in Hyderabad Narcotics Raid
In a significant late-night operation, ten persons were detained following an alleged drug bust at a farmhouse in Moinabad, Hyderabad, on Saturday. The detainees include prominent political figures: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP from Andhra Pradesh Putta Mahesh Yadav, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and former MLA Pilot Rohit Reddy, and a former MLA from Rajasthan.
Raid Details and Resistance Faced by Authorities
Acting on a tip-off about a party involving narcotics, a five-member Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) team, led by an inspector, raided the farmhouse around 9:30 PM. The farmhouse is owned by BRS leader Pilot Rohit Reddy. However, the team reportedly faced resistance from security personnel at the gate and from Rohit Reddy himself, delaying their entry.
"We had to seek help from the Special Operations Team (SOT) of Future City to gain entry into the farmhouse," an EAGLE official stated, highlighting the challenges encountered during the operation.
Drug Tests and Seizure of Evidence
Upon entry, police conducted anti-narcotic tests on all ten individuals at a local government hospital. Results indicated that Pilot Rohit Reddy and the former Rajasthan MLA tested positive for cocaine, while TDP MP Putta Mahesh Yadav tested negative. Authorities seized two grams of cocaine from the premises.
In a concerning development, one of the detained persons allegedly fired two rounds into the air using a firearm belonging to Rohit Reddy's brother, adding to the intensity of the situation.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
EAGLE officials noted that the Moinabad police would handle the investigation, as the quantity of cocaine seized was classified as a 'small quantity'. The accused are expected to be produced before a magistrate for further legal action.
A source involved in the operation revealed, "Apart from Rohit Reddy, Eluru TDP MP Putta Mahesh Kumar and a former MLA from Rajasthan were also present. A woman was among the group, and we believe one person could be a gunman for the politicians."
Historical Context of the Farmhouse
This incident is not the first time this farmhouse has been in the news. In October 2022, Cyberabad police conducted a raid at the same location based on a complaint by Rohit Reddy, arresting three persons in a 'cash for defection' case involving alleged bribes to ruling BRS MLAs.
The detention of such high-profile political figures underscores ongoing concerns about drug use and law enforcement challenges in the region, with this raid marking a notable escalation in efforts to combat narcotics activities.
