Four held with 126 gm hybrid marijuana worth ₹4.43 lakh in Satellite; cars, scooters seized

Four young men were arrested in the Satellite area of Ahmedabad on Friday after police allegedly recovered 126.840 grams of hybrid marijuana valued at ₹4.43 lakh from a society office premises, along with cash, packaging material, weighing equipment and three vehicles purportedly used for distribution.

According to Satellite police, a combing operation was undertaken on February 27 following a specific tip-off received at around 9.45 am. The information suggested that one Sahil Desai and his associates were operating an illegal call centre from the office of Shubhdarshan Society near Prernatirth Derasar and were also engaged in the sale of contraband.

A police team reached the society office to verify the input and found four persons inside a 12x10 ft room equipped with laptops and headsets. During a search conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), officers allegedly discovered a black-and-red bag containing multiple small and large plastic zipper pouches filled with a greenish substance emitting a strong odour.

The four accused have been identified as Kunal alias Sahil Desai (25), a resident of Satellite; Deep Pareshbhai Jadav (23), a resident of Shela; Harshil Ghanshyambhai Davda (19), currently residing in Anandnagar and originally from Surendranagar; and Kunal Vijaybhai Mistry (21), a resident of Anandnagar.

A forensic science laboratory (FSL) officer also reached the spot and conducted a preliminary field test, which indicated that the seized substance appeared to be marijuana.

In total, 73 small and two large zipper bags containing plant material were counted. The gross weight was recorded at 146.940 grams, while the net weight of the contraband was determined to be 126.840 grams after deducting the weight of the plastic containers. The contraband was valued at ₹3,500 per gram, taking the total to ₹4.43 lakh police said.

Officers also seized ₹28,000 in cash, which the accused allegedly admitted was proceeds from the sale of marijuana. Two iron tools allegedly used to break the substance, a digital weighing scale valued at ₹200, and a bundle of empty zipper bags were also confiscated. All items were sealed on the spot.

Further, police recovered three vehicles said to have been used for delivery of the narcotics: a black Maruti Suzuki Swift valued at approximately ₹6.5 lakh; a black Honda Activa scooter valued at around ₹60,000; and a Suzuki Access estimated at ₹65,000. The total value of the seized property, including the vehicles, was pegged at ₹12.19 lakh

Police said the accused allegedly admitted to jointly trading in hybrid marijuana and delivering it to customers using the two-wheelers and car. The alleged illegal call centre being run from the premises is the subject of a separate complaint, officers added.

An offence has been registered under Sections of the NDPS Act at Satellite police station. The accused were arrested and further investigation is under way to ascertain the source of the contraband and identify potential buyers and suppliers.

Police said the seized samples will be sent for detailed forensic examination as part of the ongoing probe.