In a major enforcement action, the Commissioner’s Task Force (Jubilee Hills Zone), in coordination with Banjara Hills police, arrested 10 individuals for allegedly engaging in the illegal storage and sale of LPG cylinders at inflated prices. The operation was carried out following specific intelligence inputs about black-market activities in the area.
Police conducted a raid near a graveyard at Nagarjuna X Road in Banjara Hills, where the accused were reportedly caught in the act of unloading and selling gas cylinders unlawfully. Authorities said the group had been operating an organised setup to exploit the rising demand for LPG by diverting supplies and selling them at higher rates.
During the operation, officials seized a total of 414 gas cylinders of various capacities, including both commercial and domestic units, along with multiple vehicles used for transportation. The total value of the seized property has been estimated at around Rs 21.88 lakh, indicating the scale of the illegal activity.
Investigations identified the prime accused as Mohd. Aamir, who was allegedly running an entity named Metro Gas Agency. Police said he was not adhering to regulatory norms and had been storing cylinders in an open area instead of authorised facilities. The operation also involved delivery personnel, drivers, and labourers who were part of the supply chain.
Authorities confiscated several vehicles, including DCM vans, a Bolero, a Tata Ace, a Tata Intra, and multiple auto-rickshaws, which were being used to transport the cylinders across locations. The coordinated raid was conducted under the supervision of senior officers, with officials emphasising that such illegal practices disrupt regulated supply and pose safety risks.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Task Force) stated that strict action will continue against individuals involved in black marketing and illegal trade of essential commodities, as part of ongoing efforts to maintain supply integrity and public safety.
