8.5 kilograms of amphetamine worth Rs 8.5 crore seized, 3 held

The prime suspect, identified as Kunchala Nagaraju, a contractor for civil works in Sangareddy. His associates, Ashagouni Vinod Kumar Goud, 32, and Kunti Srishailam, 42, were also arrested.

According to the Indian Express, the police revealed that Nagaraju had connections with Gosukonda Anji Reddy, who hired him for construction work at his factories. These factories allegedly served as sites for drug manufacturing. Over time, their professional relationship turned into a friendship, and Nagaraju learned that Reddy sold drugs to earn easy money.

In June, Anji Reddy handed over three packets of amphetamine to Nagaraju at his Bonthapally village unit, instructing him to hide the drugs for a while.

In return, Nagaraju was assured of an opportunity to work together in drug peddling. However, Reddy's arrest during a police raid on one of his drug manufacturing units in Kothapally put Nagaraju on alert. 

“When Nagaraju learnt of the arrest, he hatched a plan along with two associates to sell the drugs that were given to him by Anji Reddy in Hyderabad,” the police said.

Their plans were thwarted when the police received a tip-off, leading to the arrest of Nagaraju and his associates. Along with the drugs, the police also seized a car and three mobile phones from the suspects. Further investigation is under progress.