Telangana Police’s EAGLE Force has dismantled an international drug smuggling network involved in trafficking hydroponic cannabis (OG weed) from Thailand to India. The operation led to the arrest of 10 individuals, including the main suspect Hemang Pramod Keluskar from Mumbai. Most of the key accused are from Mumbai, with investigations revealing a total of 29 arrests and 11 absconding suspects.
The kingpin’s family, known for smuggling goods between India and Arab countries, transitioned into drug trafficking in mid-2023. Leveraging their connections, they targeted Thailand for its premium hydroponic cannabis, forming partnerships with local clubs and suppliers. Keluskar and his brother even ventured into the club business in Thailand, attracting Indian customers and film personalities.
To facilitate the smuggling, the syndicate recruited mule carriers to transport the cannabis from Thailand to India through airports with less stringent screening. They established a firm for cultivation and procurement, using Thailand’s cannabis-friendly policies to their advantage. The contraband was then distributed in Mumbai and payments were made in cash, with proceeds funneled back to Thailand through illegal channels.
The investigation uncovered the syndicate’s use of approximately 300 carriers and their strategy of changing arrival airports to evade detection. The operation involved routes through various international airports in India, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. The arrests in Hyderabad and Mumbai in April exposed the network’s operations between Bangkok, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, leading to the recovery of significant amounts of hydroponic cannabis.
