Ganja and Narcotic Sales Persist in Hyderabad's Mangar Basti Despite Raids

Illegal drug sales continue in Mangar Basti at Afzal Sagar under Habeeb Nagar police limits in Hyderabad, despite repeated crackdowns by law enforcement agencies, according to sources and local residents. The illicit trade involves ganja, narcotic tablets, injections, and cough syrups sold through concealed supply networks.

Enforcement agencies, including the Hyderabad police, the EAGLE Force, and the Prohibition and Excise department, have carried out multiple operations in the area. In the second week of July, nearly 1,100 police personnel divided into 38 teams conducted a massive pre-dawn search operation across Mangar Basti, also known as Mongar Basthi, and adjoining areas. The operation resulted in several suspects being detained as authorities targeted individuals allegedly involved in illegal activities.

While sustained enforcement has led to a decline in the overall scale of the trade, local gangs continue to operate. Sources indicated that several gangs that were previously involved in petty offences, such as pickpocketing, have turned to dealing illicit narcotics due to the lucrative nature of the trade.

The contraband in the locality is sold at varying price points. Ganja reportedly sells for Rs.400 to Rs.500 per tola. Narcotic tablets cost between Rs.50 and Rs.200 each, while certain 5-ml injections command prices between Rs.1,000 and Rs.1,500. Bottles of cough syrup are sold for Rs.350 to Rs.500 each.

Residents noted that although police frequently intercept, check, and question newcomers entering the area, familiar buyers still manage to gain access. These regular customers reportedly use local routes to enter the locality, make their purchases, and leave quickly.

Sources revealed that peddlers avoid storing bulk contraband within the neighbourhood. Instead, they smuggle small quantities of ganja into the locality for immediate distribution, while keeping safe houses to store larger caches in locations elsewhere.

Police officials maintained that continuous enforcement is shrinking the illicit network, noting that several notorious peddlers have been arrested and sent to jail over the past year. A senior official stated that the business has come down considerably due to continuous enforcement and that it is only a matter of time before it is completely stopped.

Mangar Basti, officially recorded as Mang Garodi Samaj Colony, is predominantly inhabited by the Mang Garodi community, which migrated from Maharashtra and settled in the area more than a century ago.