A drug peddler named Rajesh escaped police custody during a crackdown on MDMA smuggling in Vijayawada. Police arrested two other men, Jagadish and Akhil, after raiding a hotel on Sunday night, December 22, 2025. They seized 13 grams of MDMA from the suspects. Rajesh, from Nellore, managed to flee after being detained by the Machavaram police. "The accused smuggled MDMA from Bengaluru and checked into a hotel in the Machavaram area," said Central Zone Assistant Commissioner of Police K. Damodar on Monday. The police will present Jagadish and Akhil in court soon. A search is underway to catch Rajesh and others involved. "Special teams have been sent to Bengaluru and Nellore to arrest the remaining accused of the gang," the ACP added.