In a pan-India operation code-named Operation ‘WeedOut’, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) dismantled a syndicate involved in the smuggling of hydroponic weed into India.
The series of busts was carried out on August 20, when simultaneous interceptions were made by officers of DRI at Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway station, Bengaluru, and Bhopal Junction.
Thorough search of baggage of two passengers who had just boarded the Rajdhani train (22691) for Delhi, led to recovery of 29.88 kg of hydroponic weed at Bengaluru. In a coordinated action, 24.186 kg of hydroponic weed was recovered at Bhopal Junction from two passengers who had boarded the Rajdhani train on August 19 from Bengaluru, according to an official release of the Ministry of Finance.
Meanwhile, associate mastermind of the syndicate was traced in New Delhi and proceeds of drug trafficking amounting to Rs. 1.02 crore was recovered from his possession.
From Thailand to Bengaluru: Syndicate Busted
In a swift follow up, DRI officials intercepted a passenger who arrived at Bengaluru from Thailand on August 20. The passenger was nabbed in the early hours of the following day at a hotel in Bengaluru, which led to recovery of another 17.958 kg of hydroponic weed.
A total of 72.024 kg of hydroponic weed worth around Rs. 72 crore along with illegal proceeds of Rs. 1.02 crore was seized under the provisions of NDPS Act, 1985, in the interceptions made between August 20-21.
The associate mastermind and all five passengers involved were arrested, according to the Ministry of Finance. The syndicate would reach out to college dropouts, part-time employed or unemployed youth via social media.