A Bengaluru couple who allegedly smuggled hydroponic ganja worth Rs 18.60 crore from Thailand managed to give a slip to customs officials at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), but their happiness did not last long as the Bengaluru city police arrested them shortly.
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The accused have been identified as Saifuddin Sheikh, 34, a mechanic from Kamanahalli, and his wife, Sara Simran, 26, a homemaker. Bengaluru city Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh Thursday announced that the couple were arrested near Rani Abbakka Play Ground in Mahalakshmi Layout on November 30.
Investigators suspect the couple worked as drug mules for a larger syndicate. According to a police officer, Sheikh and his wife had managed to clear customs at the airport, but the city police had the information that the two flyers were bringing hydroponic ganja from Thailand. “The information was collected as part of the narcotic substances that were entering Bengaluru via various routes ahead of New Year celebrations,” the police officer said.
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Once the Mahalakshmi Layout police got the information, the accused were tracked and found moving near the playground with large quantities of narcotics. A team detained the couple, who were allegedly about to hand over the contraband to a receiver.
Officers discovered 18.590 kg of hydroponic ganja wrapped inside large bags, each weighing approximately 2 kg. “The couple had no criminal antecedents, which is likely why they were chosen as mules,” said a police officer.
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Investigations revealed the couple travelled from Bangkok to Bengaluru, likely on tourist visas, carrying the substantial drug haul.
When questioned about how the suspects evaded customs, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Singh said it “has to be verified” during the investigation, adding that “specific inputs have been received on the others involved.”
Following their arrest, the accused were produced before a court on December 1 and were remanded in 10-day police custody.
Additional seizures
Over the last week, RMC Yard, RT Nagar, JC Nagar, and Malleswaram police teams arrested eight people, including a foreigner, in separate operations in Bengaluru on charges of drug trafficking. They seized ganja and MDMA worth Rs 15.90 lakh from the accused.