The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested Rishubh Ahuja, the alleged kingpin of a hydroponic cannabis smuggling network, in Amritsar on July 4, 2026. The arrest followed a coordinated operation based on intelligence inputs.
Details of the Operation
NCB sleuths apprehended Ahuja from a residential area in Amritsar. During the raid, they recovered sophisticated hydroponic equipment, including LED grow lights, ventilation systems, and nutrient solutions, along with a quantity of high-grade cannabis. The seized contraband is estimated to be worth several crores in the international market.
According to NCB officials, the syndicate used advanced indoor cultivation techniques to produce potent cannabis, which was then smuggled to domestic and international destinations. Ahuja is believed to have been the mastermind behind the operation, coordinating procurement, cultivation, and distribution.
Modus Operandi
The hydroponic method allowed the syndicate to cultivate cannabis in concealed locations, avoiding detection. The NCB has been tracking the network for months, and Ahuja's arrest is a significant breakthrough. Officials stated that further investigations are underway to identify other members and dismantle the entire network.
“This arrest deals a major blow to the drug trafficking network operating in the region,” said a senior NCB officer. “We are committed to eradicating such illegal activities.”
Legal Proceedings
Ahuja has been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and will be produced before a local court. The NCB is also probing possible links to international drug cartels.
