24 people arrested for drug use in surprise pub raid

Hyderabad:Twenty-four people were found consuming drugs at Cave Pub when in a joint operation, officials of Madhapur Special Operations Team, Shamshabad police, Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau and excise department personnel launched a surprise raid after receiving a tip-off on Saturday night.

Tests were conducted on 55 people present at the event venue, most of them employees of multinational companies, while the rest were students aged 21 to 26.

A DJ was under the influence of ganja and cocaine, while two others had consumed both ganja and methamphetamine, police officials said on Sunday.

According to SOT DCP Madhapur, “The pub owners had organised a psychedelic party which mainly targets drug addicts. Four of them are absconding,” he said, adding that 24 mobile phones were seized and handed over to Raidurgam police.

Speaking to the media on Sunday, Madhapur DCP G. Vineeth said, “We have arrested 24 individuals from the Cave Pub. Students and IT professionals were among those who allegedly consumed drugs during the raid. We will issue notices to IT companies and educational institutions to take preventive measures.”

According to some sources, the drugs were brought in from outside and consumed in the pub. The event was relayed on social networks, which led to a large gathering.

Following the investigation, the pub will be closed. Further details will be released when the pub owners are taken into custody, the sources said.