A significant drug trafficking operation has come to light in Kerala and Karnataka with the arrest of two individuals involved in the smuggling of hydro ganja, a highly potent variant of marijuana. The arrests were made this week at Kochi Airport and in Kodagu, Karnataka, in separate incidents tied to a growing concern over the smuggling of synthetic drugs into the state.
The first arrest took place when Meharoof, a native of Kasaragod, was detained by the Ernakulam Rural Police at Nedumbassery, acting on a tip-off from the Kodagu police. Meharoof was a key figure in the recent seizure of 3.31 kg of hydro ganja by police in Kodagu. Authorities had learned that Meharoof was planning to board a flight to Bangkok and took him into custody after a day-long surveillance operation. Upon questioning, police revealed that Meharoof was allegedly the leader of a gang smuggling hydro ganja from Karnataka to Dubai via concealed containers.
Hydro ganja is considered more potent than locally available marijuana. It is cultivated in highly controlled conditions, such as air-conditioned rooms with artificial lighting, to enhance its potency. According to police reports, the drug is grown in Thailand, particularly Bangkok, and sold at high prices. A kilogram of hydro ganja can cost as much as Rs 80 lakh on the black market. Authorities are now investigating whether this potent drug variant is becoming more popular in the state.
In a separate incident, customs officers at Kochi Airport arrested Vaishak Mohanan, a Thiruvananthapuram native, who arrived from Bangkok carrying hydro ganja in his baggage. The drugs, weighing 4.23 kg and valued at over Rs 2.5 crore, were concealed among food products. Customs officials confirmed the seizure and expressed concerns about the increasing smuggling of hydro ganja into the region.
The growing smuggling network, especially involving hydro ganja, poses new challenges for law enforcement. Police fear that smugglers could exploit loopholes in the NDPS Act, which allows for smaller quantities of marijuana to be considered bailable offenses. With even less than one kilogram of hydro ganja offering huge profits, the authorities are working to close these loopholes and strengthen enforcement.
The recent arrests highlight the increasing risk of more potent and expensive drugs making their way into the country, with police focusing on dismantling smuggling networks operating across Kerala, Karnataka, and Dubai.
