In a significant victory against international drug trafficking, the Mahalakshmi Layout Police in Bengaluru have arrested a couple and seized a massive consignment of hydroponic ganja (hydro ganja) valued at approximately ₹18.60 crore. The seizure included 18 kg and 590 grams of the high-potency narcotic.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Shafiuddin Sheikh (34), a car mechanic, and his wife, Sara Simran (26), both residents of Kammanahalli.
The Modus Operandi
Investigations revealed that the couple was allegedly acting as drug mules for an international syndicate. They had travelled to Bangkok, Thailand, on a tourist visa and returned with the narcotics concealed in their luggage.
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Customs Evasion: The couple successfully managed to evade stringent checks by Customs officials at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) by cleverly concealing the contraband in nine food packets, each weighing around two kilograms, hidden inside their backpacks. This lapse at the airport has raised serious concerns among enforcement agencies.
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The Interception: Acting on a credible tip-off, a special team led by the Mahalakshmi Layout police tracked the couple soon after their arrival. They were intercepted near the Rani Abbakka Play Ground in Mahalakshmi Layout, where they were reportedly waiting to hand over the consignment to a local handler.
The police have registered a case against the accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The couple, who reportedly have no prior criminal record (a factor investigators believe led to their selection as mules), have been remanded into police custody for further investigation. Authorities are currently analyzing seized mobile phones to identify others involved in the extensive drug network, both local and international.
This major bust is part of the Bengaluru City Police’s intensified crackdown on drug peddling, particularly ahead of the New Year festivities.
