Pramesh S Jain
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on October 9 arrested three people including a Sri Lankan national and recovered drugs worth an estimated Rs 50 crore,the agency said on Sunday.
The seizure contained 45.4 kg of hydroponic ganja and 6 kgs of psilocybin mushrooms.
“NCB,Bengaluru Zonal Unit,had been developing intelligence on drug cartels involved in trafficking of hydroponic ganja from Thailand for quite some time.
One such effort led to interdiction of two persons coming by flight from Colombo to Bangaluru and seized 31.4 Kg of Hydro Ganja and 4 Kg of Psilocybin mushrooms,”the agency said.
“Their interrogation revealed that their handler,a Sri Lankan is coming in a later flight on which this Sri Lankan handler was also identified and interdicted with 14 kg of Hydro Ganja and 2 Kg of Psilocybin mushrooms.
The seized drugs were meticulously concealed in around 250 food tins which were vacuum sealed to evade detection.
Further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend other members of this syndicate,”it added.
As per the agency,trafficking in Hydro Ganja has become a lucrative business as it commands a high premium in retail market can be sold up to a cost of Rs.80 lacs per kg.
“Hydroponic Ganja has become an elite party drug due to its high psychoactive effect and many young persons are ready to become mules to bring it contrabands from Thailand.
Grown in controlled environment it contains up to 25% THC as against 5% in normal Ganja grown in India.It is meticulously concealed inside tetra packs,chocolate bars, food packaging,clothing, sealed vacuum pouches to mask odour and evade scanners at airports.
Routes often involve transits via third country like Dubai, Colombo or Kathmandu etc as direct flights from Bangkok invite more scrutiny at the airports,” the agency added.
