In a shocking bust, Bengaluru’s Central Crime Branch (CCB) arrested a 25-year-old civil engineer-turned-drug dealer, Jijo Prasad, for distributing hydro ganja — a potent, hydroponically cultivated variant of cannabis — to IT professionals across the city. Police confiscated 3.5 kg of the drug, worth ₹4 crore, along with ₹36 lakh in cash.

Hydro ganja, known for its high THC content and premium pricing, is usually trafficked through covert networks. Prasad was caught by the Anti-Narcotics Wing while waiting to deliver a consignment in a deserted plot near Veer Sandra, close to Electronic City. He’s now in judicial custody under the NDPS Act.

Investigators revealed that Prasad sourced the drug from a Kerala-based associate, Ashwin, who is currently on the run. A manhunt has been launched to trace him.

Operating from Bommanahalli, Prasad reportedly sold the drug for ₹12,000 per gram, targeting tech professionals in Bengaluru’s eastern and southeastern corridors. He used WhatsApp to arrange clandestine meetings and packed the contraband in airtight containers to mask the scent.

Police say Prasad’s background as an engineer helped him avoid suspicion and gain trust among his clientele. His low-key lifestyle and strategic drop points helped him remain undetected — until a police tip-off exposed his network.

Officials believe this bust points to a growing trend of interstate and high-tech smuggling networks, with Kerala emerging as a key conduit alongside the dark web and international suppliers.