Over 1 kg hydroponic ganja seized in Delhi, 3 held in Thailand-linked drug racket

The Delhi Police has busted an interstate and international drug trafficking syndicate with alleged links to Thailand, arresting three individuals and recovering over 1 kg of imported hydroponic ganja valued at more than ₹25 lakh .

The accused have been identified as Faizan Rizwi (24), Riyazuddin (44), and Nadeem Beg (42) . Police said the arrests were made following a specific intelligence input received on April 14, leading to a trap laid near the Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) gate .

At around 4:10 am, police intercepted two suspects travelling on a motorcycle and another on a scooter while they were allegedly engaged in a cash-for-contraband exchange. All three were apprehended on the spot. During the operation, police recovered 1,030.5 grams of hydroponic ganja , packed in two vacuum-sealed packets, along with ₹4 lakh in cash , suspected to be proceeds or funds meant for further drug procurement.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that the consignment was allegedly sourced from Thailand and formed part of a larger narcotics network operating across state and international borders. Police said the syndicate was being coordinated by a Muzaffarnagar-based handler currently residing in Bangkok , indicating overseas control of supply operations.

Investigators believe the arrested individuals were involved in the local distribution chain , handling receipt, transport, and circulation of the contraband within India. Efforts are now underway to identify other members involved in procurement, financing, and wider distribution of the drug network.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act , and further investigation is ongoing to trace the full extent of the syndicate, including its international supply routes and communication channels. Hydroponic ganja refers to cannabis cultivated without soil using nutrient-rich water solutions and inert growing mediums under controlled indoor conditions, and is considered higher in potency and value than traditionally grown cannabis.