The Hyderabad Police have busted a major drug racket, whose members were using a popular dating app to connect and talk with their clients.
The police arrested two peddlers and seven consumers, including a sex worker and a doctor, who were using the LGBTQ dating app “Grindr” to sell and purchase drugs.
The drug peddlers, as well as those consumers, were using the popular dating application, which is used by specifically gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people.
The police said that the app was being misused to connect with potential drug buyers, as they also seized 100 grams of MDMA.
Who are the peddlers?
The peddlers have been identified as M Ramakanth alias Kiran and Mudavath Prasad. They were using the code names “Rocket” and “Pigeon” on their dating profiles to lure and contact customers.
The police added that most of the people involved in the racket were part of the LGBTQ community as they were involved in “same-gender sexual activities”. “They were using encrypted messaging and dating apps to avoid detection. Their clientele was carefully selected through these platforms,” the police said.
The accused sources MDMA, also known as ecstasy, from a Nigerian supplier based in Bengaluru. The peddler purchased the MDMA at Rs 10,000 per gram and resold it in Hyderabad for Rs 15,000 per gram, making huge profits.
After receiving information, the Hyderabad police conducted a raid at the location where the peddlers were arrested. The police, after receiving further leads, caught seven consumers.
Last year, both peddlers were accused of drug-related charges. They were arrested and sent to judicial custody. However, later, they were released on bail. Recently, they again started selling drugs via a Nigerian national living in Bengaluru.
The police have initiated the investigation, and all the involved people have been handed over to the Chilkalguda Police.