Hyderabad: In a joint operation, Chilkalguda Police and the East Zone Task Force dismantled a drug ring that used the Grindr dating app to sell MDMA. They arrested two peddlers and seven consumers, recovering 100 grams of MDMA worth ₹15 lakh, along with 10 mobile phones and a digital weighing machine.
The raid took place at Ideal Home Apartments in Seethafalmandi, Secunderabad. The key accused — M. Ramakanth alias Kiran (44) from Chilkalguda and native of Kurnool, and Mudavath Prasad (30), a vacuum technician from LB Nagar — were arrested at the scene. Acting on their information, police quickly detained seven regular consumers.
Hyderabad drug ring on Grindr linked to earlier NDPS arrest
According to officials, Ramakanth had earlier been arrested in July 2024 under the NDPS Act (Cr. No. 422/2024). After securing bail, he quickly resumed drug sales. Using coded signals on his Grindr profile, he indicated MDMA availability. He sourced the drug from a Nigerian contact in Bengaluru and sold it at nearly double the purchase rate.
Investigators confirmed that the group regularly engaged in bisexual activity under the influence of drugs. Notably, Ramakanth, who is HIV positive, continued to host such gatherings despite being under treatment. Police warned that such conduct poses major health and legal risks.
NDPS case registered; officials issue public warning
Authorities booked the accused under Cr. No. 458/2025 U/s 8(c) r/w 22(c), 27 of the NDPS Act, 1985. They appealed to the public, especially youth, to avoid drug use and unsafe practices that endanger health and attract severe legal penalties.
DCP East Zone Dr. B. Bala Swamy oversaw the operation, supported by Addl. DCP Task Force A. Srinivas Rao, Addl. DCP East Zone J. Narsaiah, ACP Chilkalguda K. Shashank Reddy, and teams from Chilkalguda PS and East Zone Task Force. Senior officers commended the teams for the swift and coordinated action.
