Hyderabad:Telangana EAGLE Force arrested 40 persons linked to a Thailand-based hydroponic cannabis smuggling syndicate that allegedly used nearly 300 mule carriers to traffic narcotics into India through multiple airports, police said.
EAGLE Director Sandeep Shandilya said the network had been active since mid-2023 and had coordinators, recruiters, handlers, financiers and carriers moving hydroponic cannabis, commonly called OG, from Thailand to India.
Police said the syndicate was linked to an influential smuggling network with a history of trafficking gutka, gold and red sanders. It allegedly moved into narcotics after identifying demand for hydroponic cannabis among Indian tourists in Thailand.
The syndicate operated from Pattaya, where handlers entered the club business and identified habitual Indian cannabis users, police said. Recruiters allegedly sent people seeking easy money to Thailand as mule carriers, arranging tickets, hotel stays and local logistics.
Police said the network leased a cannabis cultivation chamber in Thailand capable of growing 144 plants per cycle under the cover of medical and commercial use.
The carriers were routed through airports in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat and Kolkata, with arrival points changed frequently to avoid Customs scrutiny. After the contraband landed in India, it was moved to Mumbai and distributed through peddlers.
Payments were allegedly made in cash and routed back to Thailand through hawala channels to fund fresh consignments.
The case came to light after Customs officials at RGIA intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok with over 13 kg of hydroponic cannabis. Several key operatives remain absconding.
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