Hydroponic ganja craze grips Hyderabad as India-Thai cartel links deepen

Hydroponic ganja is fast emerging as a new high among Hyderabad’s drug users, prompting Indian cartels to place bulk orders from Thailand, where cultivation was decriminalised in 2022. Women are being increasingly used as couriers to smuggle the contraband into India.

Hyderabad: With hydroponic ganja becoming the latest craze among substance abusers in the city, drug suppliers are making all efforts to ensure uninterrupted supply of the high-quality weed.

On Wednesday, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials arrested a woman at RGI Airport and seized 40 kg of hydroponic ganja concealed in her luggage. Officials are investigating to identify other members of the syndicate.

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“The woman carrying the narcotics travelled from Bangkok to Dubai and then to Hyderabad to avoid suspicion. A recent arrest of a carrier who flew directly from Bangkok prompted the drug cartels to change their strategy,” said an official.

Thailand, the Southeast Asian country, has emerged as a preferred source for hydroponic ganja. Depending on the quality, it is priced between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 1 crore per kg.

“In 2022, after ganja cultivation was decriminalised in Thailand, several nurseries began operations. Indian drug syndicates developed contacts with cultivators there and began placing bulk orders with advance payments through cryptocurrency or hawala channels,” the official added.

Although Thai authorities began regulating the sale of hydroponic ganja in June, the nexus between syndicates in Thailand and India continues to thrive.

Air routes have emerged as major trafficking channels, with syndicates preferring women as carriers since they are less likely to be suspected at airports. Carriers are provided with air tickets, accommodation, food, and are paid between Rs 20,000 and Rs 40,000 per trip.

Drug syndicates are also using courier services, parcels and postal networks to smuggle drugs. Orders are often placed via the dark web.