In a major drug bust, three men were arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Pune and Mumbai units for allegedly smuggling hydroponic marijuana worth nearly Rs10 crore from Bangkok.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, DRI officers intercepted Aryan Ram Parajpye and Vikas Chawariya at Pune International Airport on Monday. The officers allegedly found 9,863 grams of hydroponic marijuana hidden in their baggage. The contraband, valued at Rs9.9 crore in the illegal market, was concealed in secret compartments of their luggage.
During the interrogation, the duo led authorities to their accomplice, Saurabh Bhatia, who was arrested from his residence in Vakola. Further investigation at his flat uncovered 358 grams of marijuana and hashish oil, adding to the seizure.
The three accused, believed to be part of an organized drug smuggling cartel, have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The operation highlights the ongoing efforts by DRI to crack down on illegal narcotics trafficking.
The investigation continues as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the smuggling network.
