Six tested positive for drugs in farmhouse raid in Moinabad

Ten persons, including a Member of Parliament from Andhra Pradesh and a former MLA from Telangana, were detained after narcotics were found during a raid at a farmhouse in Moinabad on the night of March 14. During the raid, officials reportedly seized about two grams of cocaine.

Those detained were Putta Mahesh Kumar, MP from Eluru representing the Telugu Desam Party; Pilot Rohith Reddy, former MLA and BRS leader; Moraganeni Ramesh, 49, a real estate businessman from Manikonda; V. Sravan Kumar, 40, a private employee from Manikonda; Namith Sharma, 42, associated with a construction company and residing in Delhi; Ritesh Reddy, 40, a businessman from Manikonda and brother of Rohith Reddy; Nallapuneni Vijaya Krishna, 49, a real estate businessman from Nanakramguda; Kaushik Ravi, 39, an advocate from Gachibowli; Arjun Reddy, 34, a businessman from Nanakramguda; and K. Sarayu Reddy, 34, a resident of Himayathnagar.

Preliminary drug tests conducted on those present showed that six persons had consumed narcotics, according to authorities. Those who tested positive included Mr. Rohith Reddy’s brother Ritesh Reddy, Namith Sharma, Kaushik Ravi and Arjun Reddy, among others.

High drama unfolded during the raid, which was carried out by the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) following a tip-off that a group was hosting a party involving narcotics at a farmhouse belonging to Mr. Rohith Reddy.

Officials said the team reached the farmhouse at around 9.30 p.m. on Saturday but initially faced resistance at the entrance from security personnel and Mr. Rohith Reddy, which delayed their entry into the premises.

Police said that in the commotion during the raid, Mr. Namith Sharma allegedly fired three rounds into the air using a revolver in an attempt to evade the enforcement team. The men initially refused to cooperate with the questioning and were evasive about their names and identities as well.

Investigators eventually collected gunshot residue (GSR) samples from those present, and the tests later identified Mr. Namith Sharma as the person who discharged the weapon, which belonged to Mr. Rohit Reddy’s brother Ritesh Reddy.

EAGLE Director Sandeep Shandilya said the case has been handed over to the police in Moinabad for further investigation. Police said that further inquiry is under way.