A man was detained by Uttar Pradesh Police for reportedly growing cannabis, also known as ‘ganja’, in his Greater Noida flat and reselling it on the dark web. Along with a thorough investigation of the accused’s network, a case has been launched under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, and additional judicial actions are currently in progress.
An Insight Into Cannabis Growing In Greater Noida Flat
Rahul Chaudhary, an English graduate, is allegedly utilising a sophisticated production setup to cultivate a variety of cannabis species in planters in his 10th-floor apartment, as reported by the Press Trust of India (PTI). After the Greater Noida police confiscated 80 ganja plants and over 2 kg of cannabis from the accused’s flat, he was taken into custody. The accused had been growing cannabis for six months. According to the authorities, he was motivated to grow cannabis illegally by web series and crime dramas, as reported by PTI.
According to Saad Miya Khan, deputy commissioner of police (Greater Noida), Chaudhary was taken into custody by the district’s anti-narcotics team, Ecotech-1 police station, and local Beta-2 police station authorities at the P-3 roundabout in the Beta-2 neighbourhood.
Chaudhary was cultivating cannabis in a controlled setting, according to DCP Khan, using sophisticated aeroponic techniques that he learnt online. He has made specialised equipment investments to control humidity, lighting, and temperature, establishing the perfect environment for soilless cannabis growing, as reported by the Hindustan Times. Chaudhary allegedly used the dark web to conduct his business, obtaining seeds from foreign websites and communicating with buyers using encrypted chat services, according to a senior police officer.
A ganja plant would be completed in 100–110 days and cost between ₹5,000 and ₹7,000, according to Greater Noida DCP. With 80 plants and chemical pesticides, he has sold 10–20 plants on the dark web for ₹50,000 to ₹60,000, totalling more than ₹50 lakh, as reported by CNBCTV18.
Similar Cannabis Cultivation Case In Bengaluru
This incident in Noida follows the arrest of a couple from Bengaluru for cultivating ganja in their balcony garden. Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Sagar Gurung and Urmila Kumari are accused of growing cannabis for commercial purposes. Following their social media posts featuring videos of their cannabis garden, the couple was taken into custody.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985, which is governed by state governments, forbids the production of cannabis in India. Although it is illegal to possess cannabis, it is allowed for horticultural, scientific, medicinal, and industrial uses. Carrying cannabis carries a range of penalties, from a minimum of six months in jail and a punishment of ₹10,000 or both to a fine of ₹1-2 lakh and a maximum sentence of 10-20 years in prison, or both.
Also Read: Does Cannabis Reverse Brain Ageing?
The police found a number of items during the raid at Rahul Chaudhary’s home, including digital scales, fertilisers, pesticides, and packing supplies.
Cover Image Credit: X/@Genzofficia_l
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