Three More Students Arrested in Hydroponic Ganja Case Worth Rs 28.5 Lakh
The city crime branch in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has made significant progress in a high-value drug case, arresting three additional individuals from Raigad district. This development follows the earlier apprehension of two college students found in possession of hydroponic ganja valued at Rs 28.5 lakh.
Details of the New Arrests
Police have identified the newly detained suspects as a 33-year-old BBA student from Panvel, a 20-year-old LLB student from Indiabulls in Panvel, and a 20-year-old student from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. These arrests come after the March 10 detention of a 20-year-old first-year engineering student and a 23-year-old MBA finance student, who were intercepted near Baba Petrol Pump with 285 grams of hydroponic ganja.
Operation and Seizure Details
The police operation was initiated around 10:20 AM on March 10 after authorities received a tip-off about two youths transporting drugs along the Lohandi Pool-Baba Petrol Pump stretch. During the interception, the police team recovered eight zip-lock pouches of hydroponic ganja from a plastic carry bag that was wrapped in brown tape.
The seized contraband, weighing 285 grams, has an estimated market value of Rs 28.5 lakh, with the drug reportedly fetching nearly Rs 10,000 per gram in illegal markets. In addition to the drugs, authorities confiscated a digital weighing scale, two cellphones, and a motorcycle, bringing the total seizure value to Rs 29.51 lakh.
Investigation and Financial Links
Police Commissioner Pravin Pawar stated that the investigation uncovered financial connections between the initially arrested students and suspects based in Panvel. "Interrogation revealed that the hydroponic ganja was supplied through a contact from Panvel. Financial transactions with his associates came to light, prompting our teams to head to Raigad district," Pawar explained.
Acting on technical analysis and leads obtained during questioning, a crime branch team traced the suspects to housing societies in Kongao, Panvel. The three individuals were detained and subsequently confessed to their involvement in the offense, according to police officers.
Ongoing Investigation Efforts
All three arrested suspects have been brought to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and handed over to the Kranti Chowk police station for further investigation. Police officials confirmed that efforts are ongoing to identify the main supplier and other individuals involved in the drug racket. The investigation is being led by Sub-inspector Kishor Tanpure of the Kranti Chowk police station.
This case highlights the growing concern about drug trafficking involving students and the sophisticated methods used in such operations, with hydroponic cultivation techniques making the contraband particularly valuable in illegal markets.
