Hyderabad-Bengaluru Drug Network Busted, Rs 231 Crore Worth Amphetamine Seized From Scientist    

Bengaluru: A research scientist and his wife have been arrested with 231kg of amphetamine worth around Rs 231 crore in the international market. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) conducted joint operations in Bengaluru and Hyderabad for the last three days to complete one of the biggest seizures made by it.

Venkat Rama Rao (37), a research scientist working at a reputed firm, was arrested on September 30, while in Hyderabad to collect the drug from an associate identified as Ravi Shankar Rao (22). Nearly 221kg of amphetamine was recovered from their possession. After the arrest, the NCB slueths found that more drug was stored at Venkat's home.

When they reached his home in Bengaluru, his wife Preethi (35) was hiding 30gm of amphetamine, which was used as a sample for buyers. Rs 1.23 crore cash was also found in the house. She was then taken into custody.

In the process, the NCB recovered 10kg more from a laboratory where the drug is said to have been processed. NCB sources said more persons were involved in the ring.

Amphetamine is used mostly by youngsters as a stimulant, and it is largely smuggled to southeast Asian and African countries from India. A major inter-state drug network is at work in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, according to NCB officials.