Ahmedabad: The sleuths of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Thursday seized a third consignment of hydroponic weed or cannabis in 12 days and arrested three persons.
On Thursday night, a team intercepted three passengers returning from Bangkok at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport and found 39.24 kg of hydroponic cannabis concealed in their luggage among packets of snacks. The operation was conducted jointly with the customs department, added DRI officials.
Earlier, two consignments were seized on April 20 and 29, said officials, with the volume of the three consignments totalling 93.9 kg. The contraband has a high street value due to its high potency, said the central agency officials.
“Based on precise intelligence inputs, officers closely monitored the suspects upon arrival. A thorough inspection of their six trolley bags revealed 60 packets of a suspicious green, lumpy substance ingeniously concealed within branded food products such as cereals, chips, and other snacks camouflaged beneath layers of clothing,” read the release issued by DRI.
“Subsequent chemical analysis confirmed the substance to be hydroponic cannabis. Unlike traditional marijuana grown in soil, hydroponic weed is cultivated using nutrient-rich water in a controlled environment. This method accelerates growth and boosts potency, often resulting in higher levels of THC—the main psychoactive compound. As a result, hydroponic cannabis is more addictive and harmful. Its enhanced strength poses a greater threat to public health, especially among the youth,” added the release.