By Rucha Kanolkar
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday revealed a sweeping anti-drug operation across the state, warning that drug smugglers especially those trafficking hydroponic cannabis (hydro ganja) have become a major challenge. He announced that legal amendments are being made to strengthen action against offenders, and that courier companies will now also be held accountable if drugs are found in their parcels. Key Highlights of Fadnavis’ Statement in the Legislative Council Hydroponic Ganja Smuggling a Growing Threat Fadnavis said hydro ganja is being trafficked in large quantities into India, especially from countries like Thailand and the United States, where it has been legalised. He noted that smugglers are exploiting courier channels to push large volumes into Indian cities. Major Arrests and Exposés In a recent breakthrough, two Indonesian nationals were arrested with hydro ganja. In another case, Naveen Zijkar, a major operator of a cross-border drug network, was nabbed. Zijkar had allegedly bought an island in Australia, acquired an Australian passport, and was sending drugs to India. During the investigation, post office and customs personnel involved in facilitating these shipments were caught, and two police officers were suspended for their role in the racket. Police Reforms and Crackdown Measures Dedicated anti-narcotics units have been created at the police station level, with personnel trained in drug detection and prosecution—from testing to tracking networks. Fadnavis said that wherever police complicity is discovered, immediate suspension and disciplinary action is being taken. Synthetic Drug Raids and Shut Factory Investigations Authorities are also targeting synthetic drug networks by raiding shuttered chemical godowns and illegal manufacturing units. Unlike earlier cases where only street-level peddlers were caught, investigations now trace both forward and backward linkages, helping expose masterminds behind the supply chain. Shocking Use of Terminally Ill Women as Mules In a tragic revelation, Fadnavis said that in recent cases, terminally ill women especially those in the last stage of cancer were used as drug mules, lured in due to financial desperation. Crackdown in Schools and Colleges Both Mumbai and Nagpur police have launched extensive awareness and enforcement campaigns in educational institutions. Fadnavis urged the formation of student-led anti-drug clubs and groups within campuses to create long-term resistance to drug culture. Strict Orders to Courier and Pharma Sector Fadnavis warned all courier companies that if any drug consignment is found in their delivery chain, the company itself will face criminal charges. He also announced that CCTV surveillance will be made mandatory in all medical shops to monitor potential abuse or diversion of pharmaceuticals.