Hyderabad, March 15 TDP MP from Andhra Pradesh, Putta Mahesh Kumar, and former BRS MLA, Pilot Rohith Reddy, were among the 11 people detained here following an alleged drug bust at a farmhouse in Moinabad near here. Although the MP and seven others were subsequently released on Sunday, officials said.
Kumar, Reddy, and four others tested positive for alleged drug consumption, they said.
Based on reliable information that several individuals had gathered at the farmhouse in Moinabad near here, owned by Rohith Reddy, and were celebrating a party with possession of narcotic and psychotropic substances along with a large quantity of liquor, the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) Force, in coordination with local police teams, raided it on Saturday night.
A businessman was among those detained for allegedly opening fire with a revolver during the party and later firing at the police team.
Based on preliminary investigation, they said the person who opened fire is suspected to have done so under the influence of drugs. A .32 calibre revolver along with live and empty cartridges were seized.
Eleven individuals who attended the party were tested on the spot using Urine Drug Testing Kits, and five among them, including Rohith Reddy, tested positive for drug consumption while the Eluru MP, tested negative initially.
During the search, 0.26 grams of cocaine was recovered from one of the accused. In addition, large quantities of liquor were seized from the farmhouse.
A case was registered under relevant sections of the NDPS Act, Arms Act, Telangana State Excise Act and BNS.
As part of further procedures, they were taken to a government hospital and upon re-testing with blood samples, the results confirmed that six people, including the MP, tested positive for drugs, EAGLE Force Superintendent of Police R Giridhar told reporters.
"The MP initially tested negative for drug consumption, but he tested positive in the blood test," the official said.
During the operation, the police team surrounded the farmhouse premises and detained 11 individuals, including a woman. They were found consuming alcohol and suspected narcotic and psychotropic substances.
Three persons, including Rohith Reddy and the businessman, were taken into custody as they were facing sections pertaining to Arms Act in addition to consumption (drug abuse), another police official said.
However, Mahesh Kumar and seven others were given station bail and they were let off on Sunday evening after issuing notices, he said.
Those who tested positive for drug consumption will be referred to certified drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres as part of the reformative approach and accordingly they also gave undertaking in this regard, the police said.
During investigation, it was revealed that some of them abused drugs here and others in Goa and further probe is on in this regard.
The narcotic substance was sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), the official said. Further probe is underway to ascertain from where the drug was sourced, he said.
The party, organised by Rohith Reddy, was attended by a group of realtors, businessmen, as well as politicians, police said.
Further investigation is on.
In October 2022, three persons were arrested based on a complaint by Rohith Reddy who alleged they attempted to poach BRS MLAs.