In a significant drug bust, Surat police have seized a massive consignment of hydroponic cannabis, valued at over Rs 3 crore, from a passenger who arrived from Thailand. The recovery happened in two phases over thirteen days, uncovering a sophisticated smuggling attempt.
From Hand Baggage to Trolley Bag: The Double Haul
The Surat Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) first intercepted the accused, Jafar Khan (56), a resident of Mumbai, on November 17. Upon his arrival at Surat airport via an Air India Express flight from Thailand, officials found 4kg of hydroponic cannabis in his hand baggage. The estimated value of this initial seizure was a staggering Rs 1.41 crore.
Following three days of police custody, Khan was sent to judicial custody at Lajpore Jail. However, investigators were not done. Acting on a specific tip-off that he had carried a larger consignment, the DCB team sought and obtained a fresh remand from the court.
Fresh Custody Leads to Major Recovery
Re-arrested from the jail, Khan was interrogated again. This time, he led the police to his trolley bag. A meticulous search revealed a cleverly concealed stash. An additional 4.852kg of hydroponic cannabis was found hidden in specially created cavities on both sides of the bag.
To evade detection during airport security scans, the drug packets were wrapped in silver foil and carbon paper. This second haul was valued at approximately Rs 1.70 crore. With this recovery, the total seizure in the case reached 8.88kg, with a combined worth of Rs 3.11 crore.
A Seasoned Smuggler with Wider Networks
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Bhavesh Roziya provided details of the operation. The investigation has revealed that Jafar Khan is no novice. Police describe him as a seasoned smuggler with a extensive travel history.
His passport shows travels to multiple countries including Bangladesh, Thailand, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, Oman, and Bahrain on more than 20 occasions. Furthermore, investigators have uncovered evidence linking him to drug networks across several Indian states.
Khan is also connected to a previous case where his wife was arrested by Bengaluru police for possession of hydroponic cannabis. The Surat DCB is now delving deeper into his connections with interstate drug mafia operations.
The court has granted police three more days of custody for further interrogation to unravel the entire supply chain and identify other individuals involved in the racket.
