Free Bangkok Trip | Hyderabad, June 30: An international drug trafficking syndicate has allegedly lured young people with free foreign trips and easy money before using them as drug carriers to smuggle narcotics into India.
The racket came to light after the Telangana Anti Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) Eagle team and central investigative agencies uncovered the network during a joint operation.
Investigators found that the syndicate promised free trips to Bangkok, accommodation in five star hotels, and cash incentives. Recruits only had to bring back a “parcel” to India. After their return, the gang allegedly paid them an additional Rs 25,000. The network mainly targeted unemployed youth and junior artists seeking opportunities in the film industry.
Free Bangkok Trip | Hydrօponic cannabis racket under scanner
Officials said the syndicate smuggled hydroponic cannabis, commonly known as OG, from Thailand into India. The drug reportedly costs around Rs 3 lakh per kilogram in Bangkok. However, its value rises to between Rs 80 lakh and Rs 1 crore per kilogram in the Indian market.
According to investigators, Mumbai based kingpin Hemang Pramod Keluskar allegedly masterminded the operation. Authorities believe he built a nationwide network of nearly 300 drug carriers. The gang allegedly used innocent recruits as expendable couriers while organisers remained behind the scenes.
One suspect from Uttar Pradesh reportedly travelled to Bangkok 101 times, raising serious concerns over the scale of the smuggling network.
Telangana youth among those arrested
The investigation revealed that 14 youths from Hyderabad allegedly became part of the network. Acting on intelligence inputs, Telangana narcotics officials tracked their movements. So far, police have arrested 10 accused in connection with the case. The investigation continues to identify other members of the syndicate.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) launched Operation Weed Out to crack down on hydroponic cannabis smuggling. During coordinated raids in Mumbai, Jaipur, Lucknow, and Kolkata, officials seized more than 100 kilograms of the drug within 20 days.
Customs authorities have also seized 1,005 kilograms of hydroponic cannabis worth about Rs 700 crore across the country, highlighting the growing scale of the illegal trade.
Officials warn against easy money offers
TGANB Eagle Director Sandeep Shandilya warned that people who agree to carry drugs could face life imprisonment under the law.
He said investigators identified the network by analysing the travel records of frequent international flyers and monitoring suspicious movements. Subsequently, the Eagle team coordinated with the DRI, Customs, and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for nearly two months before dismantling the syndicate.
Shandilya urged young people to reject offers of free foreign trips or easy money from unknown individuals. He advised the public to report suspicious recruitment attempts immediately and avoid becoming part of illegal trafficking networks.
Now you can get the latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram every day. Click the link to subscribe. Click to follow Indtoday’s Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News updates and Follow us on GoogleNews
