04-05-2025
Ganja seized at Nagpur airport hydroponic weed?
Nagpur: The 10 kg high-standard marijuana (ganja) consignment intercepted at the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur on Saturday could be the first top-quality 'hydroponic' variety, sources said. It was grown in a controlled environment with water and nutrient surplus conditions, which the cops are now keen to ascertain from the experts.
Zonal DCP Lohit Matani said the samples would be sent to the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL) to ascertain its quality. "We would seek reports from the narcotics experts of the forensic laboratory to know if the intercepted ganja was hydroponic weed," he said.
While the cost of the intercepted variety was calculated at Rs20,000 per kg, the worth of the seizure would skyrocket to Rs8-10 crores if it turns out to be hydroponic weed.
Across several airports in India this year, substantial amounts of the hydroponic variety of marijuana were intercepted from foreign nationals. Sources stated the regular quality of marijuana would unlikely be sent through air parcels spending high amounts. "The air routes are generally used when the cost of the consignment is high, or else sending the regular variety through air cargo is impractical financially," said a source.