Hybrid ganja seized from a Kakkanad native in Kochi.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A man was arrested in connection with the seizure of over a kilogram of hydroponic weed, also known as hybrid ganja, worth over ₹1 crore allegedly smuggled in from Thailand through the International Post Office, Kochi, earlier this week.
The arrested was identified as Savio Joseph, of Kakkanad. He was nabbed by the officers of Headquarters Preventive Unit of the Commissionerate of Customs (Preventive), Kochi.
The contraband reached the International Post Office from Thailand in the name of an unknown person. Following this, Customs sleuths visited the Postal Appraising Section (PAD) on February 18. They reportedly examined and seized the said contraband.
Later, samples were drawn in the presence of the judicial magistrate, and the goods were deposited at the Customs warehouse.
However, the receiver for whom the drug was delivered remained still undetected. Hence, a team was formed by the Headquarters Preventive Unit, Customs Preventive Commissionerate, in co-ordination with the Customs Postal Section and the Department of Posts to identify and arrest the person with concrete evidence.
A dummy parcel was sent to the person concerned through regular delivery procedure. However, it was found that the recipient had given a fake address and hence surveillance was kept by the officers of the Customs Preventive Commissionerate in specific locations mentioned by the receiver.
Eventually on February 20 when the postman was delivering the parcel in the address mentioned by the receiver, Customs sleuths located the residence of the receiver.
In a follow-up search of his house, the officers further found approximately 30gm of hydroponic weeds, 50gm of ganja, and allegedly incriminating evidence in his mobile phone regarding the various distribution chains and possible supply networks.
The Customs claimed that the accused confessed to the offence and was subsequently arrested. He was produced before the Judicial Magistrate Court, Ernakulam, and remanded in judicial custody for 14 days. Further investigation is under way.
Published – February 22, 2025 07:48 pm IST