MIDC police in Mumbai arrested two men for allegedly possessing and attempting to sell 1.896 kg of hydroponic cannabis in Andheri East.[1][2] Police identified the men as Omkar Rajendra Pawar, 28, and Piyush Madhukar Ghongade, 22, and said they were apprehended near JK Industrial Estate on Paper Box Road on Thursday.[1] The arrests followed a tip-off that two men would arrive near the industrial estate to sell the contraband, and officers laid a trap, an MIDC police station official said.[3]

A search recovered 1.896 kg of hydroponic cannabis from a red bag.[3][2] Police valued the cannabis at Rs 66.36 lakh, about 6.6 million rupees.[1][2] The men had travelled from Satara district to Mumbai to sell the contraband, police said.[1][2] Police said both were residents of Koregaon in Satara district.[3]

A case was registered under the NDPS Act.[1][2] Police said further investigation would examine the supply and distribution network.[3][2] Hydroponic cannabis is grown in a water-based mineral nutrient solution rather than in soil.[3]

Sub-Inspector Ranjit Gondkupe of the MIDC police station and the anti-narcotics squad were patrolling on the night of 29 October and spotted the two men at about 7.45 pm.[2] Police gave the men’s addresses as Bhakarwadi and Wathar Station in Koregaon, Satara district.[2]