Bhubaneswar: A joint operation by the directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) and customs officials led to the seizure of hydroponic weed worth about Rs 2 crore at the Biju Patnaik International Airport here on Tuesday.The contraband was seized from two passengers from Tamil Nadu who had arrived from Bangkok on an early morning flight. Authorities suspect the consignment was meant to be routed to poll-bound Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where demand for such narcotics is reportedly high.“Acting on specific intelligence developed by the Bhubaneswar wing of DRI, the joint team detained the duo with 5.5 kilograms of the illicit psychoactive substance concealed in their hand baggage,” a DRI official said.The two carriers are being interrogated by the drug law enforcement authorities to uncover the broader network behind the smuggling attempt. “We have launched a detailed investigation to trace backward and forward linkages and identify other associates connected to the network,” the official said.However, the detainees have so far refrained from disclosing details about the intended receivers or the supply chain. Officials believe they are part of a layered system of couriers and receivers, a method commonly adopted by international cartels to insulate the masterminds from detection.In such operations, carriers are often kept in the dark about both the original source and the final delivery destination of the drugs, making it difficult for enforcement agencies to trace the entire chain. “They normally recruit new carriers for each consignment, ensuring that no individual has knowledge of the complete delivery network,” the official said.The drug bust has turned the spotlight on the growing use of Bhubaneswar airport as a transit point for drug trafficking, with several interdictions reported in recent months.Hydroponic marijuana, unlike traditional ganja cultivated in soil, is grown indoors under controlled temperatures and conditions.Officials further noted that hydroponic marijuana from Thailand, often dubbed the “poor man’s cocaine,” has become increasingly popular at rave parties across India, particularly in southern states. Its potency is significantly higher than locally grown marijuana, with psychoactive compound (tetrahydrocannabinol) levels reaching up to 30% compared to just 3% in conventional varieties cultivated in Odisha.
