Excise sleuths seize hybrid ganja worth ₹2 crore from Alappuzha

ZHA

In a major drug haul, excise sleuths arrested two persons with three kg of hydroponic weed, also known as hybrid ganja, worth around ₹2 crore, from a resort at Omanapuzha in Alappuzha on Tuesday night.

The arrested have been identified as Thasleema Sulthana, alias Christina, 41, of Chennai and K. Feroze, 26, of Mannancherry in Alappuzha.

Officials said that Thasleema, originally from Kannur, had given a statement that she brought the drugs for sale in the film and tourism sectors. The accused, who was involved in drug trafficking for some time, reportedly told the investigators that she had previously supplied hybrid ganja to a few Malayalam film stars. A detailed investigation is under way, said an official.

On Tuesday, she arrived at the resort on a rented car accompanied by her husband and two children. However, interrogation revealed that the husband and children had no connection to drug trafficking. Officials said that Feroze was the one who supplied the drug to people in the tourism sector in Alappuzha.

The probe in the case is being led by Excise Deputy Commissioner S. Vinodkumar.

A few years ago, Thasleema was arrested in a POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) case registered at a police station in Ernakulam. The case involves the sexual abuse of a girl after administering drugs.

Hybrid cannabis, according to officials, is several times more intoxicating than regular cannabis and is considered more dangerous than MDMA, a psychotropic drug.