DRI Seizes 72 Kg Hydroponic Weed Worth ₹72 Crore in Pan-India Operation
Coordinated Raids Across India
On the night of August 20, DRI officers intercepted suspects at Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station in Bengaluru and Bhopal Junction. Searches of passenger baggage aboard Rajdhani Express trains led to the recovery of 29.88 kg of hydroponic weed in Bengaluru and 24.186 kg in Bhopal. Both consignments were part of a coordinated trafficking effort routed towards Delhi.
In New Delhi, officers traced the associate mastermind of the syndicate and recovered ₹1.02 crore in drug money, highlighting the financial scale of the network. Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, another passenger who had flown in from Thailand was intercepted on August 21, leading to the seizure of 17.958 kg of hydroponic weed from a city hotel.
Total Seizures and Arrests
With these operations, the DRI has seized a total of 72.024 kg of contraband worth an estimated ₹72 crore. All five passengers involved in the smuggling attempts and the identified mastermind have been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The provisions of the law mandate stringent punishment for handling, smuggling, or financing drug operations.
Officials noted that the syndicate relied on recruiting college dropouts and unemployed youth through social media platforms, exploiting their vulnerabilities to use them as couriers for high-value narcotics.
Modus Operandi of the Syndicate
The traffickers were reportedly importing hydroponic weed from overseas, with Thailand emerging as a major source in this case. Hydroponic weed, grown under controlled conditions without soil, is often considered more potent and commands a premium in illicit markets. The contraband was moved across cities using trains and hotels as cover, making detection more challenging.
Authorities stated that the syndicate’s attempts to build a distribution network across metros were foiled due to coordinated intelligence sharing and timely field operations.
Significance of Operation “WeedOut”
Officials described Operation WeedOut as a landmark success in the ongoing national crackdown on drug trafficking. With the use of technology, financial tracking, and field surveillance, the DRI dismantled an organized supply chain before it could expand further. The seizures are expected to deal a significant blow to drug syndicates attempting to exploit India’s youth population.
The operation also highlights the growing use of rail and air networks by traffickers to move narcotics across state borders. Authorities have stepped up monitoring at transit hubs to prevent further incidents.
Next Steps in Investigation
The arrested individuals are currently being interrogated to trace wider international and domestic links of the syndicate. Authorities are probing the role of overseas suppliers, hawala operators, and the use of cryptocurrency for laundering drug money. More arrests are expected as the investigation deepens.
Enforcement agencies have reiterated that India’s laws under the NDPS Act prescribe rigorous imprisonment and heavy fines for offenders. The public has been urged to stay vigilant against drug-related activities and report suspicious behavior to authorities.
