Ex-Drug Peddler From UP Arrested For Illegal Firearms Sale In Hyderabad

The Malkajgiri commissioner zone police have arrested a man from Uttara Pradesh for trying to sell an illegal weapon in Hyderabad.

Two 9mm pistols, three magazines and 19 live rounds were seized from the accused during a joint operation by the Malkajgiri Zone Special Operations Team (SOT) and Bollaram Law and Order police.

The accused was identified as 27-year-old Prabhas Kumar, a native of Uttar Pradesh who was living in Bihar Basti at Patancheru and working as a daily-wage labourer. 

Police said Kumar had previously been involved in drug peddling and was arrested by Cherlapally police in an NDPS case in 2024. Recent reports also state that he had earlier worked as an agricultural labourer and lorry cleaner. 

According to investigators, Kumar allegedly turned to illegal activities in pursuit of quick money. After his arrest in the drug case, he allegedly shifted his focus to firearms, planning to procure weapons cheaply in North India and sell them at higher prices to people involved in criminal activities in Hyderabad.

Police said Kumar travelled to Bihar on August 10 and contacted a person identified as Sonu, from whom he allegedly procured the firearms and ammunition. The seizure included two 9mm pistols, three magazines and 17 live rounds, along with a double-barrel tappancha and two additional live rounds, taking the total ammunition seized to 19 rounds. 

The arrest followed credible information that Kumar was moving near Bungalow No. 13, close to Sadhana Mandir in Bollaram, around 12.10 p.m. on August 22. A joint police team intercepted him and recovered the weapons.

Malkajgiri Police Commissioner B. Sumathi said the accused allegedly procured the firearms from outside Telangana with the intention of selling them to persons involved in criminal activities in Hyderabad.

Police are now investigating his alleged links with the supplier and others who may be connected to the firearms network. 

A case has been registered against Kumar at Bollaram Police Station under the relevant provisions of the Arms Act. 

Police said the investigation will focus on tracing the source of the weapons, identifying the alleged supplier and determining whether Kumar had already sold firearms to other persons.

The police have increased surveillance on suspected movement of illegal firearms into Hyderabad from other States and the alleged involvement of individuals with previous drug-related cases in the weapons trade.