NCB officials seized 6 kg of psilocybin mushrooms (magic mushrooms) at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit: Eva Almqvist
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) busted an international drug racket in Bengaluru and arrested three persons, including a Sri Lankan national, with 45.4 kg of hydroponic ganja (marijuana) and 6 kg of psilocybin mushrooms (magic mushrooms) worth ₹50 crore.
Based on specific information on drug cartels involved in trafficking of hydroponic ganja from Thailand for quite some time, a team of officials intercepted two persons coming by a flight from Colombo (Sri Lanka) to Bengaluru and seized 31.4 Kg of hydro ganja and 4 kg of psilocybin mushrooms on October 9.
A detailed questioning led to the arrest of their handler, a Sri Lankan national, who landed in a later flight. The officials seized 14 kg of hydro ganja and 2 kg of psilocybin mushrooms from the Sri Lankan.
The seized drugs were meticulously concealed in around 250 food tins, which were vacuum sealed to evade detection.
NCB officials are trying to identify other members of this syndicate.
According to officials, trafficking in hydro ganja has become a lucrative business, as it commands a high premium in the retail market, and can fetch up to ₹80 lakh per kg.
“There is a huge demand for hydroponic ganja as an elite party drug due to its high psychoactive effect. Many young persons are ready to become mules to bring the drug from Thailand,” a senior official said.
“Grown in a controlled environment, hydroponic ganja contains up to 25% of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the primary psychoactive component in marijuana, some hashish and other preparations derived from cannabis plants, as against 5% in normal ganja grown in India. It is meticulously concealed inside tetra packs, chocolate bars, food packaging, clothing, sealed vacuum pouches to mask odour and evade scanners at airports. Routes often involve transit via a third country airport, like Dubai (UAE), Colombo (Sri Lanka) or Kathmandu (Nepal), as direct flights from Bangkok (Thailand) invite greater scrutiny at airports,” the official added.
Published – October 13, 2025 01:20 pm IST
