New Delhi: Delhi Police have busted an international drug trafficking network, arresting Rohit Kumar Sharma (35), a former officer of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). Authorities seized 21.5 kilograms of hydroponic marijuana from his possession, estimated at ₹27 crore in international markets.
Educational and Professional Background
Rohit Kumar Sharma holds a B.Tech in Electronics Engineering and joined the CBIC in 2015. During his posting at Kannur Airport, Kerala, in 2019, he was arrested in a gold smuggling case. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence subsequently named him under the NDPS Act. Following departmental inquiries, he was dismissed from service in 2023.
After his dismissal, Sharma moved to Dubai, where he reportedly partnered with Abhishek, a resident of Bihar, to smuggle hydroponic marijuana from Thailand into India.
Trafficking Operations and Financial Modus Operandi
Police investigations suggest that proceeds from drug sales were allegedly routed to Dubai via hawala networks and cryptocurrency channels. The probe into other collaborators and the cartel’s network is ongoing.
Arrest and Seizures
Rohit Sharma was apprehended near Janak Cinema, Janakpuri, on the night of October 13-14, while transporting the drug consignment. The authorities seized:
- ₹44.42 lakh in cash
- One SUV
- One scooter
- 21.5 kilograms of hydroponic marijuana
Police note that hydroponic marijuana is up to ten times more potent than conventional cannabis and is cultivated using controlled scientific methods. The substance is smuggled from Thailand via international parcels and is highly sought after among India’s affluent population.
Use of Former Customs Contacts
Authorities report that Sharma leveraged his former customs contacts to facilitate smuggling through relatively low-traffic airports like Guwahati. The investigation indicates that Sharma and his associates operated a highly organized cross-border drug trafficking network.
Ongoing Investigation
- Sharma faces charges under the NDPS Act.
- Delhi Police are tracing other members of the international cartel.
- The operation is part of a larger national and international crackdown on high-value drug trafficking.
Experts say that the flow of high-value substances like hydroponic marijuana is influencing both the emerging high-income consumer segment in India and global drug trafficking dynamics.
