Bengaluru: A Sri Lankan national is among three persons arrested from the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Sunday with a huge amount of narcotics valued at Rs 50 crore.
According to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), 45.4 kg of hydroponic weed and six kg of psilocybin mushrooms were seized from the three.
“The operation was based on the information that drug cartels were trafficking hydroponic weed from Thailand via Colombo. Two persons who arrived from the Sri Lankan capital were apprehended first with 31.4 kg of hydroponic weed and 4 kg of psilocybin mushrooms,” the NCB statement said.
During interrogation, the two spoke about their Sri Lankan handler who would be arriving in another flight. NCB officials maintained watch and the man was subsequently arrested with 14 kg of hydroponic weed and 2 kg of psilocybin mushrooms. The drugs were hidden in 250 vacuum-sealed food tins to evade detection, the release stated.
NCB Bengaluru has seized 220 kg of hydroponic weed in 18 cases this year and arrested 45 individuals from Kerala, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
This drug, grown in controlled conditions, is highly potent, containing up to 25% THC compared to 5% in regular Indian ganja. This makes it a preferred “elite party drug”.
Huge quantities of this drug is now flowing into India through various routes. Traffickers conceal the consignments in tetra packs, chocolate bars, clothing and vacuum-sealed pouches, often routing it through Dubai, Colombo or Kathmandu to avoid airport scanners.
