Consumption of Marijuana (Ganja) has increased over the last few years and youngsters in many major cities like Mumbai have made it an addiction. While the debate of legalizing Ganja in India is ongoing, the police, across different states has been keeping a check on it being sold illegally.
As per a recent report, a 26-year-old Chembur resident Nikhil Satish Sharma has been arrested by the Crime department for using the hydroponics technique and allegedly growing marijuana at his friend's house. Police have also seized a kilogram of the plant and various materials used to grow the same. It is said that Nikhil read about growing the same in a house, on the internet and bought all the required materials and equipment to do so.
A source from the police told Mumbai Mirror, “This is probably for the first time that we have come across a case in which ganja was being cultivated at home with such advanced technology,” said senior inspector Ashok Khot. An officer, who did not wish to be named, said, “They got the equipment from China and the seeds from Australia and New Zealand. These seeds are meant for the hydroponic system only and the ganja they produce is much stronger than the naturally grown plant. They have been doing this for the past year and their main customers are college students and residents of Chembur.” “It takes around three months to grow ganja with this system. He would to sell one gram of this ganja, which is called ‘hydro’ for Rs 2,000, whereas normal ganja is sold for Rs 50 a gram.”
Nikhil was caught red-handed by the police on Saturday when they spotted him walking near Mahul Village with a sack. Inspector Nitin Patil and his team approached him during the patrol, during which he tried to flee, however, failed. Sharing more details, Patil told Mirror, “On checking his bag we found one kilogram of ganja and 54 grams of Mephedrone, worth Rs 2.9 lakh in total. A case was registered against Sharma under sections of the Narcotic, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. He will be in police custody until December 17.”
Upon questioning, Nikhil revealed the details, which helped the police to seize the equipment and illegally grown drug from his friend’s house. During the search in Palav Baug, the police found equipment worth ₹6 lakh which included three hydroponic tents, pots, LED lights, a timer mechanism, a soil pH tester, hydroponic nutrients and various types of seeds. Police have informed that Nikhil’s friend is yet to be found.
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