Hydroponic ganja worth Rs 9.5 crore seized at Hyderabad airport, seven arrested

Hyderabad: Officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence have seized 27.15 kg of hydroponic ganja valued at around Rs 9.5 crore at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and arrested seven people in connection with the case.

According to a statement, acting on specific information, DRI officers intercepted four Indian passengers who had arrived from Bangkok in the early hours of January 30. Three other persons were also stopped while the passengers were collecting and handing over their checked-in baggage.

During a detailed check of the luggage, officers found several packets containing a greenish-brown substance hidden inside trolley bags. The total weight of the seized material was 27.15 kg.

The substance was tested using a narcotic drug detection kit and confirmed to be ganja.

All seven accused have been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. Further investigation is underway.

Hydroponics refers to a method of growing plants in nutrient-rich liquid solutions instead of soil.

(with inputs from agencies)