Marijuana trail leads to 24 students at University of Hyderabad; security guard held

A security guard allegedly supplying marijuana to students of the University of Hyderabad was arrested by the Telangana EAGLE Force, which seized 150 gm of the contraband packed in 24 small sachets and found 24 students allegedly consuming the drug in two separate investigations linked to the campus.

The accused, Bikash Singh alias Jung, 30, a native of Nepal and a resident of Gowlidoddi in Gachibowli, was apprehended on October 29 following information received through the EAGLE Force toll-free number. The investigation began after two university students, Bharadwaj, 27, and Anand, 26, were picked up for enquiry.

Both reportedly tested positive for cannabis in the screening tests. Director of EAGLE, Sandeep Shandilya said that during questioning, Bharadwaj reportedly told investigators that he had been consuming marijuana for the past two years along with Anand, who allegedly procured the drug from Jung.

“The security guard admitted to selling packets weighing around five grams for ₹500 and, on some occasions, ₹1,000. He delivered the packets near the university’s South Gate after receiving orders from customers,” explained the officer.

Investigators said Jung also named a person identified as Raiz, a resident of Assam, as his alleged supplier. Raiz reportedly supplied marijuana in bulk quantities of around 200 gm, which Jung divided into smaller packets for sale.

The accused reportedly disclosed the names of 23 persons, including seven students, who had allegedly purchased marijuana from him. They included university hostel residents and people employed in housekeeping, security, delivery and transport services in Gachibowli, Gowlidoddi and Nanakramguda.

The disclosures are being verified. This is the second investigation into marijuana consumption and supply linked to the university. In an earlier case in August, the EAGLE Force apprehended Sandesh, 24, a former student, whose urine screening test reportedly returned positive for THC.

He identified another former student, Biswajit Kalita, 28, as his alleged supplier. Kalita was subsequently apprehended and 10 gm of marijuana seized from him. He reportedly told investigators that he procured the drug in bulk quantities of 200 to 300 gm during visits to his native place in Assam and sold packets weighing four to five grams for around ₹500.

He also disclosed the names of 17 persons who had allegedly purchased marijuana from him. With 24 students identified as alleged consumers in the two investigations, the EAGLE Force is planning to write to the University of Hyderabad Vice-Chancellor, seeking meetings with their parents to counsel them about the harmful effects of drug consumption and facilitate de-addiction treatment wherever necessary.

The force has also stressed the need for greater vigilance among campus security personnel to prevent drugs from entering the university. Meanwhile, the EAGLE Force is examining suspected marijuana consumption and supply at NALSAR University, where around 17 students have been identified for verification.

Separate enquiries have also been conducted at GITAM University in Patancheru, where some students reportedly tested positive for cannabis during screening. The force said it had interacted with university anti-drug committees and counselled students and the parents of those who tested positive.

It is continuing efforts to trace the alleged upstream suppliers and establish the extent of the networks operating around educational institutions.