**Summary:**
On August 20-21, 2025, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Ministry of Finance, conducted a pan-India operation ("Operation WeedOut") targeting a syndicate involved in smuggling hydroponic weed into India. The operation resulted in the seizure of 72.024 kg of hydroponic weed, valued at approximately Rs. 72 crore, and Rs. 1.02 crore in illegal proceeds. Simultaneous interceptions occurred at Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway station in Bengaluru and Bhopal Junction, leading to the recovery of 29.88 kg and 24.186 kg of hydroponic weed, respectively, from passengers on the Rajdhani train. An additional 17.958 kg of hydroponic weed was seized from a passenger arriving from Thailand at a hotel in Bengaluru. Six individuals, including the associate mastermind of the syndicate, were arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. The syndicate reportedly recruited college dropouts, part-time employees, and unemployed youth through social media platforms. This operation demonstrates the DRI's commitment to combating drug trafficking and enforcing the NDPS Act.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Finance: The Indian government ministry responsible for financial matters.
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence: An Indian intelligence agency responsible for combating smuggling and tax evasion.
Operation WeedOut: A pan-India operation conducted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to dismantle a syndicate involved in smuggling hydroponic weed.
Bengaluru, Karnataka: A city in the state of Karnataka, India, where interceptions and arrests related to the smuggling operation took place.
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: A city in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India, where interceptions related to the smuggling operation took place.
New Delhi, Delhi: The capital city of India, where an associate mastermind of the syndicate was traced and proceeds of drug trafficking were recovered.
Thailand: A country from where a passenger arrived in Bengaluru carrying hydroponic weed.
NDPS Act, 1985: The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, an Indian law that prohibits the manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transport, storage, consumption, or use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Ministry of Finance
DRI seizes 72 kg of hydroponic weed worth around
Rs. 72 crore in a pan-India Operation named
“WeedOut”
Posted On: 22 AUG 2025 3:42PM by PIB Delhi
In a pan India operation code named Operation “WeedOut”, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)
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dismantled a syndicate involved in smuggling of hydroponic weed into India. In the late evening of 20
August 2025, simultaneous interception were made by officers of DRI at Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna
Railway station, Bengaluru, and Bhopal Junction.Thorough search of baggage of two passengers who had just boarded the Rajdhani train (22691) for Delhi, led
to recovery of 29.88 kg of hydroponic weed at Bengaluru. In a coordinated action, 24.186 kg of hydroponic
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weed was recovered at Bhopal Junction from two passengers who had boarded the Rajdhani train on 19 Aug
2025 from Bengaluru.
Meanwhile, associate mastermind of the syndicate was traced in New Delhi and proceeds of drug trafficking
amounting to Rs. 1.02 crore was recovered from his possession.
th
In a swift follow up, a passenger who arrived at Bengaluru from Thailand on 20 August 2025 was
st
intercepted in the early hours of 21 August 2025 at a hotel in Bengaluru, which led to recovery of another
17.958 kg of hydroponic weed.
A total of 72.024 kg of hydroponic weed worth around Rs. 72 crore along with illegal proceeds of Rs. 1.02
crore was seized under the provisions of NDPS Act, 1985.
The associate mastermind and all five passengers involved were arrested. The syndicate used to reach out to
college dropouts, part-time employed or unemployed youth via social media. The NDPS Act has stringent
punishments for offences related to handling of drugs.
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NB/KMN
(Release ID: 2159766)