In a major breakthrough, Hyderabad police have uncovered a transnational drug trafficking network involving courier-based narcotics delivery from Delhi, following the arrest of Surya Annamaneni, a 34-year-old restaurant owner from Kompally. The Cyberabad Narcotics Police, acting on intelligence inputs, intercepted Surya on July 7 and recovered various illegal substances, including 10 grams of cocaine, 3.2 grams of OG Kush, and 1.6 grams of ecstasy pills.

What alarmed the Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) was the method used to conceal the drugs. Cocaine was found hidden inside the heel compartment of a sandal, which was then packed in a pink cardboard box and shipped via courier from New Delhi, under the fake sender name “Fatima.” The parcel was sent using Shree Maruthi Courier, according to reports by NDTV.

Surya Annamaneni, a former sales manager in Bengaluru and now the owner of Malnadu Kitchen in Hyderabad, is an engineering and MBA graduate. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to both consuming and distributing narcotics and revealed key details about an international supply chain involving Indian contacts and Nigerian drug traffickers operating from Delhi, Bengaluru, and Goa.

The Nigerian individuals linked to the racket were identified as Nick, Jerry, Dezmond, Stanley, and Prince. Surya is believed to have regularly ordered cocaine and MDMA from these suppliers, transferring money through bank accounts provided by them. The drugs were shipped discreetly, hidden in everyday objects like footwear, to avoid detection.

Police said ₹1.39 lakh was transferred through a business account linked to his restaurant, and an additional ₹41,000 was withdrawn in cash. After receiving the packages, Surya allegedly stored the narcotics either in his Scorpio SUV or at his restaurant, before supplying them to consumers, many of whom were frequent visitors to high-end pubs in Hyderabad.

Investigations revealed that between 2021 and 2025, Surya purchased cocaine at least 20 times, making him a consistent part of the illegal drug circuit. A case has been registered against him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and he has been remanded to judicial custody.

Authorities believe the bust has exposed a well-organized transnational narcotics network, and further arrests are likely as the investigation expands.