NCB officers examine seized contraband at Bengaluru airport.
Credit: NCB
Bengaluru: In a major drug bust, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized narcotics worth Rs 50 crore and arrested a Sri Lankan national along with two others at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).
The seizure included 45.4 kg of hydroponic ganja and 6 kg of psilocybin mushrooms. The operation was carried out on October 9, the NCB said on Sunday.
“The NCB’s Bengaluru Zonal Unit had been tracking drug cartels involved in trafficking hydroponic ganja from Thailand for some time. Based on intelligence inputs, officers intercepted two passengers arriving from Colombo and seized 31.4 kg of hydro ganja and 4 kg of psilocybin mushrooms,” the agency said in a statement.
Known as 'magic mushrooms', psilocybin mushrooms cause euphoria, hallucinations, and sensory distortion.
Following the interrogation of the two suspects, the NCB intercepted their handler, a Sri Lankan national, who arrived on a later flight. Officers recovered an additional 14 kg of hydro ganja and 2 kg of psilocybin mushrooms from him.
“The drugs were meticulously concealed in around 250 food tins that were vacuum-sealed to evade detection,” the NCB said, adding that investigations are underway to trace other members of the syndicate.
Hydroponic ganja, the agency noted, has become an “elite party drug” because of its potent psychoactive effect and high demand. It can fetch up to Rs 80 lakh per kg in the retail market. Grown in controlled environments, it contains up to 25% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), making it far more potent than locally grown ganja, which has about 5%, the agency said.
The agency added that traffickers often smuggle the contraband in tetra packs, chocolate bars, food containers, and sealed pouches to mask odour and avoid scanners at airports.
Routes typically involve transit through countries such as Dubai, Colombo or Kathmandu to avoid direct scrutiny on flights from Bangkok.