Actor Navdeep appears before SIT probing Hyderabad drugs haul, Pubs under radar

Celebrities from Tollywood have been given until July 27 to appear before officials of the Excise department

Popular Telugu actor Navdeep appeared before the Special Investigation Team probing Hyderabad drugs haul case on Monday. Navdeep is the third actor to appear in connection with the high profile drug racket bust.

Navdeep is one among the 12 celebrities who have been summoned to the Excise department office following the arrests of drug peddlers in the city. The actor had come out in public to claim innocence after a notice was issued to him earlier in July. Navdeep said that he knew Calvin Mascarenhas, the prime accused in the case, only as an event manager.

The excise department officials are collecting hair, nails and blood samples of those being questioned for forensic tests to gather evidence for drug abuse. Meanwhile, officials have also identified pubs in posh localities of Hyderabad that helped peddlers organise raves.

Pubs in posh localities under radar

On specific information, officials of the excise department have identified pubs in Hyderabad that have facilitated the exchange of drugs. Some pubs are said to have allowed events that included the use of narcotics by attendees. officials claimed that pubs, fully aware of the kind of party being organised, charged extra and facilitated raves in private halls.

Statements recorded during questioning of those accused of peddling as well as celebrities who have been grilled point to the involvement of pubs in the city in the thriving drug racket.

OneIndia News