Bangkok cartel using airport-hopping tactics to smuggle marijuana: DRI official
After two failed attempts at Bhubaneswar's Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), carriers are now suspected to be rerouting consignments through airports like Jharsuguda, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru to avoid detection. "Once they escape scrutiny at any of these airports, they use other modes of transport to deliver the consignment. Last month, a marijuana consignment was seized at Kolkata airport," the official said.
In two recent busts, hydroponic marijuana worth a total of Rs 40 crore was seized. The carriers in both cases were unrelated and came from different states—three from Uttar Pradesh in the first case, and one from Gujarat in the second. "The carriers are only handed an air ticket at Bangkok airport and are instructed to carry the consignment. While they are aware of the contents, they never admit it when caught," the official said.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Why is everyone rushing to get their hands on this new air cooler?
News of the Discovery
Undo
Explaining the smuggling strategy, he added, "If a carrier is given a ticket to Bengaluru, they have no choice but to board that flight. After landing, their task is to evade airport scanners and security checks. This is how the airport-hopping tactic works. Sometimes they succeed, sometimes they don't."
On Sunday, DRI sleuths further revealed that hydroponic marijuana from Thailand—often dubbed the 'poor man's cocaine'—is becoming increasingly popular at rave parties in Bhubaneswar due to its affordability and powerful hallucinogenic effects.
Unlike regular marijuana, this soil-free variant contains about 30% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), compared to just 3% in the common strain, making it far more potent.
Based on interrogation of the arrested carriers, investigators are now trying to trace the main operatives involved in the cartel, both in Bangkok and Bhubaneswar, including the hotels they frequent and the local distribution network.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
22 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Tamil Nadu cop killed while intervening in family dispute
A special police sub inspector was hacked to death Tuesday night while trying to resolve a domestic dispute at a farm in Tamil Nadu's Tiruppur district. The deceased has been identified as M Shanmugavel, 57. He along with constable Azhagu Raja, both attached to Gudimangalam police station, got a call around 11 pm regarding an altercation at a farm between a father and his two sons. The three — Manikandan, Thangapandian and their father Moorthy — lived and worked on the estate. A fight began between Moorthy and Thangapandian. Shanmugavel tried to protect the father. But enraged over police intervention, Manikandan allegedly attacked Shanmugavel with a sickle, who died on the spot. The accused are absconding. IGP (West Zone) T Senthil Kumar said 6 teams have been formed. CM M K Stalin announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Fazilpuria link or unpaid loan? All theories under scanner in Gurgaon murder
Gurgaon: Days after a gangster claimed responsibility for shooting dead a property dealer linked to rapper Fazilpuria, police are investigating another angle involving an unpaid loan. Delhi-based property dealer Rohit Shokeen's friend, a witness in the case, has told cops that the 39-year-old was asked to come to Gurgaon to collect Rs 30 lakh that he had lent years ago to a friend, Deepak Nandal. Sources said on Wednesday the witness told police that Nandal had borrowed the money from Shokeen in 2023 and hadn't returned it despite repeated requests. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon Shokeen had even insulted Nandal over the debt to their common friends, and he was humiliated because of it, they said. The friendship between the two deteriorated after Shokeen's father last year filed a complaint with the Delhi commissioner's office, alleging that Nandal and his family were threatening them with consequences. Nandal, he said, had borrowed money from Shokeen to make a music video. On Aug 4, Shokeen was standing near his car near Palm Hills society in Sector 77 when two motorcyclists with their faces covered struck him with around a dozen bullets. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Doctors Shocked: New Weight Loss Trick Burns Fat Quickly Her Life & Health Learn More Undo Shokeen's Delhi-based friend survived the attack unhurt as he had just crossed the road to buy cigarettes. "The friend who accompanied Shokeen to Gurgaon but survived the attack told us that Nandal, who lives abroad, had asked him to collect the loaned money from his aides here. But we are still verifying the same," a police officer said. So far, investigators have not concluded any motive for the attack. After the Aug 4 murder, gangster Sunil Sardhania on social media claimed responsibility for killing Shokeen. "I, Sunil Sardhania, got Rohit Shokeen murdered at SPR Road in Gurgaon. Fazilpuria will have to pay our money or else many people will die in this fight," the post declared, mentioning even Deepak Nandal. The police officer told TOI cops are working to authenticate Sardhania's claim made online. TOI reported earlier this week that the murder could be the result of a bitter fallout between Fazilpuria and Nandal, who had previously produced the rapper's songs. Sardhania, a member of the Himanshu Bhai gang, purportedly warned the singer to return Rs 5 crore to Nandal, who had invested in building the rapper's career. Fazilpuria, however, consistently denied any loan arrangements and said that only music labels invested in his career. Cops had briefly detained a food delivery executive who witnessed the murder but was not linked to the shooting. The police officer said they have not found any evidence that indicates the involvement of Shokeen's friend who survived the attack in the murder plan. "We are investigating all possible angles and theories," the officer said.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Koppal gears up for bandh following youth's murder
Koppal: A large-scale protest is scheduled in the city on Aug 8, condemning the murder of 26-yr-old Gavisiddappa Nayak, reportedly killed for being in love with a Muslim woman. The demonstration aims to be secular and non-partisan in its approach. All Karnataka Valmiki Nayak Mahasabha district committee held a preliminary meeting at Valmiki Bhavan on Wednesday to plan the protest. They decided to ensure large-scale participation from the community across district while maintaining a firm secular stance. Former minister B Sriramulu has been invited to join the protest, who confirmed his attendance during the meeting. He urged supporters to join the event, emphasising its importance in sending a clear message for justice. He promised support until those responsible for the murder face appropriate legal consequences and advocated measures to prevent future incidents of this nature. Several Hindu organisations have expressed solidarity with the Valmiki community's initiative, strongly denouncing the murder and declaring support for a district-wide bandh on Aug 8 (Friday). Meanwhile, progressive group leaders have appealed for calm and warned against actions that could escalate communal tension. Prof Allaprabhu Bettadur emphasised the need for compensation and land allocation to Gavisiddappa's family, citing their lack of land ownership. While advocating a thorough investigation—including the involvement of the young woman—Bettadur recommended avoiding narratives that might disrupt social harmony. SP Ram L Arasiddi said that police detained four individuals connected to the murder, including the primary suspect, Sadik Kolkar. "The other individuals arrested are Gesudaraj Patel, Nizamuddin, and Mehboob Sikkalgar. The investigation is ongoing," he stated. Tangadagi meeting District minister Shivaraj Tangadagi convened a meeting on Wednesday with Koppal MLA K Raghavendra Hitnal to review the situation. He assured justice for Nayak's family and visited them to express condolences. He described the incident tragic and stressed the govt's commitment to taking swift and serious action. The minister noted that key suspects were arrested and pledged full accountability. While addressing calls for protests, he reiterated the need to prioritise support for the grieving family. Tangadagi also stated that the woman allegedly involved would be questioned if required, and assured that there has been no political interference in the investigation thus far. Responding to local concerns over reports of prime accused Sadiq's alleged ganja consumption, Tangadagi directed police to crack down on such drug-related issues in Gangavathi and Koppal. As part of govt relief efforts, Tangadagi provided an initial compensation of Rs 4,12,500 to Gavisiddppa's parents under the SC/ST social welfare provisions. He confirmed that the total relief package would amount to Rs 8,25,000.
