Hyderabad: Enforcement Directorate has stepped into the battle against organised drug trafficking, launching a money laundering investigation into major narcotics cases, including an international hydroponic ganja syndicate that allegedly smuggled drugs worth nearly ₹1,500 crore into India over the past three years.The agency has registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in connection with the latest international hydroponic ganja smuggling racket. Sources said the ED is examining the financial transactions linked to multiple consignments and related cases involving hydroponic ganja allegedly smuggled from Thailand through Hyderabad airport in vacuum-sealed packages.Investigators suspect the network generated substantial illicit proceeds and may have wider financial and criminal links, prompting the agency to invoke provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and prosecute those involved. The ED has also registered an ECIR in the Visakhapatnam-Alluri Sitharama Raju district ganja seizure case of Andhra Pradesh involving more than 1,000 kg of contraband, sources said.Thai-Hyd route under lensThe development follows a major crackdown by the Eagle Force, which dismantled the hydroponic ganja smuggling syndicate.Police said the racket was reportedly operated by two brothers from Maharashtra who allegedly shifted from red sanders smuggling to hydroponic ganja trafficking in 2023 because of the higher profits involved. Investigators estimate that about 1,700 kg of hydroponic ganja entered the country through the network during this period.According to the investigation, the syndicate is believed to have cultivated cannabis through an agreement with Oriental Plantation company in Thailand and allegedly used Jalwa Club and a company named Cali Goods in Pattaya as front entities. The drugs were reportedly concealed in trolley bags and smuggled into India through couriers recruited from different cities, including Hyderabad. Each courier was allegedly paid ₹20,000 per trip.Police said the consignments were primarily intended for affluent consumers in Mumbai, where hydroponic ganja commands a premium in the illegal market.The probe further revealed alleged links between the syndicate and members of the Mumbai underworld, besides Indian and foreign associates responsible for logistics and transportation. Investigators said the network relied on multiple couriers to move hydroponic ganja from Thailand into India while maintaining a sophisticated supply chain catering to a high-end customer base. The operation allegedly functioned across borders with the support of associates based in both Thailand and India.The investigation began after the hydroponic ganja seizure at Hyderabad airport in April. The breakthrough led to the arrest of 13 persons, while one of the key accused remains absconding. Police said efforts are under way to secure Interpol assistance to trace and apprehend him and other foreign-based associates linked to the syndicate.Under ED scannerIn another case now under the ED’s scrutiny, the Alluri Sitharama Raju district police and the Narcotics Control Bureau arrested three persons and seized 1,125 kg of ganja being transported in a vehicle at Busuputtu village under the limits of Munchingputtu police station in June 2026.The seized contraband was estimated to be worth more than ₹1.5 crore. According to Munchingputtu sub-inspector P Nani, the accused included two persons from Andhra Pradesh and one from Odisha. Police said the ganja was packed in bags and loaded inside a van when the vehicle was intercepted, leading to the seizure of the contraband.
