Greater Noida: Man arrested for cultivating 80 marijuana plants on balcony

NEW DELHI: A Greater Noida resident Rahul Chaudhary was arrested for illegally cultivating marijuana in a high-tech setup within his apartment.

The police found 80 plants, 2 kg of ganja, and several types of pesticides and insecticides at Rahul Chaudhary's residence.



The suspect, Rahul Chaudhary, had been cultivating premium "OG" cannabis in more than 50 pots over a four-month period, allegedly distributing his product via the dark web. The operation was uncovered through a collaborative effort between the Narcotics Department and local police forces.

The inspection revealed rooms transformed into a cannabis growing facility with over 50 pots. Chaudhary had installed specialist lighting equipment to create suitable growing conditions indoors. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Greater Noida) Saad Miya Khan reported the seizure of 80 ganja plants and over 2 kg of cannabis from the premises, PTI news agency reported.

According to the DCP, the accused had been growing cannabis for approximately six months, having drawn inspiration from web series and crime dramas to establish this illegal operation in his flat.

Officials from Beta-2 and Ecotech-1 police stations, alongside the district's Anti-Narcotics Team, apprehended Chaudhary near the P-3 roundabout in Beta-2 area, as stated by Khan.

A subsequent search of his residence at Flat No. 1001, Tower 5, Parsvnath Panorama, yielded approximately 2.070 kg of cannabis and 163.4 grams of premium 'OG' cannabis.

DCP Khan informed reporters that the accused employed advanced aeroponic techniques learned from online sources to cultivate cannabis in controlled conditions. The setup included specialised equipment for managing temperature, lighting and humidity levels.

The accused reportedly sourced seeds through international websites and utilised encrypted messaging for customer communications. Khan confirmed Chaudhary's use of the dark web for operations.

Each plant required an investment of Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000, producing high-grade cannabis that commanded prices exceeding Rs 60,000 per 30-gram yield, according to the officer. The raid uncovered various cultivation supplies, including fertilisers, pesticides, packaging materials and digital scales, suggesting a methodical operation, reported PTI news agency.

Authorities have registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, with legal proceedings ongoing, Khan confirmed.

The investigation continues to uncover potential connections and networks associated with the accused.

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