In a major breakthrough in a sensational case involving international ramifications, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has smashed a gang engaged in the cultivation of cannabis inside a two bed room-Hall-Kitchen (BHK) flat at Dombivli in neighboring Thane district.
Announcing the busting of the cannabis growing gang that would purchase seeds from Netherland and sell the drugs in cash and crypto currencies like Bitcoins, NCB’s zonal director Sameer Wankhede said here on Friday : “This is indeed a big case. We are investigating the entire network that was involved in cultivation of Cannabis by hydroponic technique”.
Hydroponics is an effective method for growing plants that places the plants in a water solution that's rich in nutrients. Instead of using soil to grow the plants, the roots of the plants come into direct contact with the nutrient-rich solution.
Acting on intelligence inputs, the NCB carried out the raids at a 2 BHK flat at Dombivli’s Palava City, where the investigators found Cannabis being cultivated.
The NCB identified the two arrested persons as Javed Jahangir Sheikh and Arshad Khatri. “We are trying to find out their antecedents and links,” Wankhede said.
“During our raids, we found that Cannabis was being cultivated there through Hydroponic techniques. From the site we have recovered cultivation setup, PH regulators, plant nutrients, clay pebbles , water pumps, air circulation systems, CO2 gas cylinders, photosynthesis lighting systems,” Wankhede said.
The cannabis cultivation was being done clandestinely in the flat owned by one Rehan Khan who is away in Saudi Arabia. Khan is suspected to be financing the illegal cannabis cultivation. While nArshad is an expert in hydroponic cultivation, Javed used to manage distribution of harvest.
“The two were procuring seeds from Amsterdam in the Netherlands through the dark web. The yield was sold to mediums size peddlers of Mumbai and Pune at the rate of 2,500 per gram for retail,” Wankhede said.
Hydroponic weed is highly desirable in high society parties and rich people. The term “hydroponic weed” refers to Cannabis grown without soil. This approach gives Cannabis growers full control over plants and which can produce reliable and faster harvest.
“They used to do their transactions in cash and crypto currencies like Bitcoins. The domestic supply orders and contact with retail customers was being done through social media apps like Snapchat and WhatsApp,” Wankhede said.
The Mumbai unit of the NCB is investigating the entire network and its links with wanted accused Sahil Flacko.