International drug syndicate busted: Ex-customs officer arrested, ₹27 Cr worth Hydroponic Marijuana seized

In a major breakthrough, the Delhi Police have dismantled an international drug cartel operating across India, Thailand, and the UAE. The key accused, a former Customs officer identified as Rohit Kumar Sharma (35), has been arrested for his involvement in smuggling high-grade “hydroponic marijuana” into India from Thailand.

During the operation, police seized over 21 kilograms of the premium-grade drug valued at approximately ₹27 crore along with ₹44.42 lakh in cash, an SUV, and a scooter believed to have been purchased with drug money.

According to police sources, Sharma, a B.Tech graduate, joined the Central Excise Department in 2015. However, in 2019, he was arrested in connection with a gold smuggling case at Kannur Airport and subsequently dismissed from service in 2023.

After losing his job, Sharma reportedly moved to Dubai, where he met Abhishek , a native of Bihar. The duo hatched a plan to smuggle hydroponic marijuana a highly potent variant cultivated using advanced hydroponic techniques from Thailand into India. This strain of marijuana is said to be ten times more powerful than regular cannabis and is popular in elite party circles.

Investigations revealed that Sharma used his former contacts in the Customs Department to facilitate the smuggling through less-crowded airports such as Guwahati, evading detection. The proceeds from drug sales were allegedly funneled to Dubai through hawala channels and cryptocurrency transactions.

Acting on a tip-off, Delhi Police laid a trap near the Janak Cinema area and apprehended Sharma. Authorities are now intensifying efforts to trace his associates, particularly Abhishek in Dubai, and to uncover the full extent of the international network.

Police officials said further investigation is underway to identify other links of the cartel and its financial operations spanning multiple countries.