In a significant crackdown on international drug trafficking, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Bengaluru has successfully dismantled a major syndicate, leading to the arrest of three individuals, including a Sri Lankan national. The operation resulted in the seizure of a massive consignment: 45.4 kg of hydroponic ganja (marijuana) and 6 kg of psilocybin mushrooms (commonly known as ‘magic mushrooms’), collectively valued at an astonishing ₹50 crore.
Acting on precise intelligence regarding drug cartels actively involved in smuggling hydroponic ganja from Thailand, a dedicated team of NCB officials initiated their operation. On October 9, they intercepted two suspects arriving on a flight from Colombo, Sri Lanka, at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport. This initial bust yielded 31.4 kg of hydroponic ganja and 4 kg of psilocybin mushrooms.
Further interrogation of the arrested individuals quickly led authorities to their handler, a Sri Lankan national, who was on a subsequent flight. Upon his arrival, an additional 14 kg of hydroponic ganja and 2 kg of psilocybin mushrooms were recovered, bringing the total haul to its impressive sum.
A key aspect of this elaborate smuggling attempt was the meticulous concealment of the drugs. The narcotics were cleverly hidden inside approximately 250 food tins, which had been vacuum-sealed to expertly evade detection by airport security and sniffer dogs.
NCB officials are now intensely focused on identifying and apprehending other members involved in this sophisticated drug network, aiming to fully dismantle the syndicate.
Officials highlight that the trade of hydroponic ganja has become exceptionally profitable, fetching exorbitant prices in the retail market, sometimes up to ₹80 lakh per kilogram. This high demand is largely driven by its status as an “elite party drug” due to its potent psychoactive effects.
One senior official noted the alarming trend: “Many young individuals are increasingly willing to act as mules, transporting this highly sought-after drug from Thailand.”
The difference in potency is stark: hydroponic ganja, cultivated in controlled environments, boasts a THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content of up to 25%. In contrast, traditional ganja grown in India typically contains only about 5% THC, the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis. To bypass airport security, traffickers employ ingenious methods, including concealing the drugs within tetra packs, chocolate bars, various food packaging, clothing, and hermetically sealed vacuum pouches to mask any tell-tale odors. Common transit routes involve indirect flights through third-country airports like Dubai (UAE), Colombo (Sri Lanka), or Kathmandu (Nepal) to avoid the heightened scrutiny associated with direct flights from known source locations like Bangkok, Thailand.