A Disturbing Twist: Man Arrested for Selling Ganja-Laced Thandai and Chocolates in Hyderabad

You know, it’s always disheartening to hear about traditional items being twisted for illicit purposes. And that’s precisely what seems to have happened recently in Hyderabad, where authorities uncovered a rather disturbing scheme involving what should be a festive drink.

Picture this: Holi, a vibrant festival of colors, is often associated with thandai, a refreshing, milky beverage. But for some, this beloved drink became a vehicle for something much darker. A 30-year-old man, Naveen Sharma, originally hailing from Agra, found himself in serious trouble after the Commissioner’s Task Force (West Zone) in Hyderabad busted his operation. What was he up to? Selling thandai and chocolates that were secretly laced with ganja – cannabis, for those unfamiliar.

It’s truly a clever, albeit sinister, way to peddle drugs, especially targeting youngsters and students. Sharma reportedly set up shop in a rented room in Sanathnagar, transforming it into a clandestine laboratory of sorts. Here, he would meticulously mix ganja with traditional thandai ingredients and chocolate, creating these seemingly innocuous, yet highly illegal, products.

The authorities, acting on a tip-off, swooped in and made a significant haul. We’re talking about 15 kilograms of ganja-laced thandai, along with another kilogram of ganja-laced chocolates. But that wasn’t all. They also confiscated a hefty 100 kilograms of thandai powder, 200 kilograms of sugar – likely for the mix – plus 5 kilograms of dry fruits, various packing materials, and even a mixing machine. Oh, and some cash and his mobile phone, naturally, were also seized.

This whole operation, it seems, relied on a network of agents. Sharma would reportedly supply these illicit treats to them, and they, in turn, would distribute them to the unsuspecting or perhaps even the seeking youth across the city. It’s a classic drug peddling model, just with a deceptive twist.

Sharma is now facing charges under the stringent Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, which, as you might know, carries some pretty severe penalties. Unfortunately, his alleged associate, a person named Shiva Shankar, managed to slip away and is currently absconding. Police are, of course, on the lookout for him.

It’s a stark reminder that even everyday items can be repurposed for illegal activities, and vigilance is key. This incident underscores the ongoing battle against drug peddling, especially when it targets the vulnerable segments of our society. Let's hope that cracking down on such inventive, yet harmful, schemes continues to be a priority for law enforcement.