Goa police have arrested a man in possession of hydroponic weed worth Rs 11.67 crore, marking the largest drug seizure in the state’s history. The accused was apprehended in Guirim village, located between Panaji and Mapusa, with 11.672 kg of the banned substance, according to a report by Hindustan Times.

A police spokesperson confirmed the arrest, stating, “We seized 11.672 kilograms of hydroponic weed worth Rs 11.67 crore. This is the biggest drug seizure ever recorded in Goa. The accused has been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.”

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant praised law enforcement for their efforts in tackling drug-related crimes. “Congratulations to the Crime Branch, Goa Police, for the state’s biggest-ever drug bust! This achievement reflects the relentless dedication of our law enforcement agencies in keeping Goa drug-free,” he said. Sawant reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy on drugs, emphasising plans to enhance intelligence networks and surveillance to curb illegal activities.

Hydroponics is a modern cultivation technique that enables plants to grow without soil in a controlled environment using water-based mineral nutrient solutions. However, the method is frequently exploited for producing high-grade cannabis.

The Guirim operation followed a month-long intelligence effort by the Crime Branch. Investigators are now probing whether the accused has connections to larger drug syndicates.

Punjab drug smugglers caught near Amritsar border

In a separate operation, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested two drug smugglers near the Amritsar border. Acting on intelligence, authorities set up an ambush around 2:20 pm and intercepted two individuals on motorcycles. While one smuggler was apprehended after a brief chase, the other managed to escape.

Officials recovered a packet of suspected heroin weighing 506 grams, a smartphone, three ATM cards, and a motorcycle. The heroin, wrapped in yellow adhesive tape with a steel ring attached, suggested the consignment had been dropped by a Pakistani drone.

The captured smuggler, a resident of Saidpur Village in Amritsar, was taken into custody. Following interrogation, authorities tracked down and arrested the second suspect in Avan Basu village around 3:30 pm. Both individuals remain in police custody as investigators examine their links to Pakistan-based narcotics networks.