In a significant enforcement action, the son of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Andhra Pradesh was apprehended by the anti-drug agency Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) in Hyderabad. The incident occurred on Saturday at a villa in the upscale Narsingi area, where the young man was allegedly found consuming a narcotic substance.
Raid and Resistance at Narsingi Villa
Acting on a specific tip-off about drug use at the location, a team from the EAGLE conducted a surprise raid. Upon entering the premises, officials discovered three young individuals present. When the enforcement officers insisted that all three undergo immediate drug tests, one of them reportedly put up strong resistance and was uncooperative with the authorities.
The individual who resisted later tested positive for ganja (cannabis) in the preliminary test. It was during this process that the officials ascertained his identity as the son of a sitting MLA from Andhra Pradesh. His behaviour throughout the procedure was described as aggressive and non-compliant by the EAGLE officials on the scene.
Shift to De-addiction Centre and Police Challenges
Following the confirmation of drug use and considering his status as a consumer rather than a peddler, the authorities decided on a rehabilitative approach. At the request of his family, he was allowed to be shifted to a private de-addiction centre located in Banjara Hills. The family doctor arrived at the spot and facilitated the transfer.
The police faced procedural hurdles due to his lack of cooperation. Officers stated they could not complete a formal 'panchanama' (spot seizure witness procedure) as he was not cooperating with the investigation. "Since he is a consumer, we did not want to be harsh on him. We will talk to him again in two days to know from where he sourced the drug," a police official said. They clarified that this was the first time the individual had come under the police radar for such activities.
Community Alert and Wider Crackdown
The raid drew attention from local residents. Alarmed by the aggressive behaviour of the MLA's son, the community members first alerted the local Narsingi police station. When the local police arrived at the villa, they were informed that the specialised EAGLE team had already conducted the operation. The MLA from Andhra Pradesh was also reportedly in touch with the EAGLE officials following the incident.
This case is part of a broader crackdown by the EAGLE on narcotics in the city. Recently, the agency arrested 12 persons, including four disc jockeys (DJs), in connection with drug abuse cases, signalling a tightening noose around drug networks in Hyderabad.
