American citizen among two arrested for drug trade in Hyderabad

Tejas Katta and Sohail Ahmed, both aged 29, were arrested with 21 grams of OG Kush, 32.5 grams of hashish and 56 grams of LSD blast in Sun City of Hyderabad
| Photo Credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

Two men who allegedly attempted to deliver a consignment of illegal drugs were arrested by the State Task Force (STF) of the Telangana Excise and Prohibition Department on Saturday (April 5, 2025). The checks, conducted near the Sun City area of Hyderabad, led to the seizure of variety of narcotics valued at ₹2.75 lakh, ₹1 lakh in cash, and a car used in the offence.

Acting on a tip-off, the STF officials arrested the accused—Tejas Katta and Sohail Ahmed, both aged 29. The haul included 21 grams of OG Kush, 32.5 grams of hashish, and 56 grams of LSD blast.

Investigations revealed that Katta is an American citizen. Born in India, he moved to the US with his parents at the age of one. After returning to India, he worked in Mumbai for two years, the time when he allegedly became addicted to drugs. It was during this period that he established contacts within the drug network and eventually began dealing.

Now residing in Begumpet and working for a Hyderabad-based firm, Katta, along with his associate Ahmed, allegedly made regular trips to Mumbai every fortnight to procure narcotics. The duo would then sell the drugs in and around the Sun City area of Hyderabad.

Following their arrest, the drugs, cash, and vehicle were handed over to the Shamshabad Excise officials. Further investigation to uncover the wider network involved in the drug trade is going on. The officials are working to trace additional links in both Hyderabad and Mumbai.