Police arrested a panipuri seller in Vijayawada after seizing 650 grams [1] of opium near Bharati Nagar.

The arrest highlights the vulnerability of student populations to narcotics distribution within local food hubs and street vending areas.

Mukesh Jat was taken into custody by officials from the Patamata police station. During the operation, authorities recovered 650 grams [1] of the narcotic substance. The seizure occurred as part of an effort to curb drug trafficking in the region.

Investigators believe the street food business served as a cover for the illegal trade. A police official said he allegedly sold it to college students.

The Patamata police arrested a panipuri seller as part of the crackdown on narcotics distribution in the city. The operation focused on areas where students frequently gather to eat and socialize, making these locations prime targets for illicit sales.

Local authorities have not yet specified if Jat operated alone or as part of a larger trafficking network. The 650 grams [1] of opium remains in police custody as evidence for the ongoing investigation into the supply chain.

“Police arrested a panipuri seller in Vijayawada after seizing 650 grams of opium.”

This incident underscores a specific tactical challenge for law enforcement in India, where the informal economy of street vending can be leveraged to mask the distribution of controlled substances to young adults in educational hubs.