Shivamogga: Hi-tech ganja farming operation unearthed; Medical students arrested

Shivamogga: A covert hi-tech ganja cultivation operation run in the city by a medical student has left the local police astounded.

The operation came to light when authorities apprehended Vighnaraj (28), a student hailing from Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu. Vighnaraj, who was studying at a private medical college in Shivamogga, had established his base in Shivaganga Layout. Investigation revealed that he had been cultivating marijuana discreetly within his rented residence, employing artificial environmental conditions that went unnoticed by the house owners.

Vinod Kumar (27) from Idukki, Kerala, and Pandidorai (27) from Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu were arrested while attempting to purchase ganja. Their involvement in the operation is currently under investigation.

During the raids conducted by the police, a significant cache of illicit substances and equipment used for cultivation and distribution was seized. The recovered items included 227 grams of ganja, 1.53 kg of raw ganja, 10 grams of charas, a small bottle containing ganja seeds, 3 cannabis oil syringes, two cans used for processing ganja powder, an electronic weighing machine, an exhaust fan, six table fans, two stabilizers, and three LEDs.

Additionally, authorities discovered paraphernalia commonly associated with the consumption of ganja, such as lighters, rolling papers, two hookah pipes, four hookah caps, and ganja plant stems. A sum of Rs 19,000 in cash, suspected to be proceeds from the illicit operation, was also seized.

A case has been registered at the Shivamogga Rural Police Station, and investigations are ongoing to identify all individuals involved in this unlawful enterprise.