How Noida man, inspired by a web series, grew weed worth Rs 60 lakh in flower pots in a flat

A 46-year-old individual found himself in police custody on Tuesday for allegedly cultivating an illegal cannabis garden within a flat at Parsvnath Panorama near the Pi-3 roundabout. Law enforcement seized approximately 80 cannabis plants, valued at about Rs 60 lakh, from Rahul Chaudhury’s residence. The authorities also confiscated fertilizers, seeds, and chemicals instrumental in the cultivation process. This arrest closely follows a similar incident in Bengaluru where a couple was apprehended for growing cannabis at home, triggered by a woman’s Facebook post showcasing her green thumb, a TOI report stated.

Operation Prahar

While executing Operation Prahar against drug-related activities, police in Greater Noida were tipped off about illegal cultivation in a society flat. “Teams raided the Parsvnath Panorama flat, discovering the cannabis being nurtured in flower pots. They seized over 2 grams of cannabis, 163 grams of OG, plus the necessary cultivation apparatus,” reported DCP Saad Miya Khan.
Rahul Chaudhury’s garden required meticulous care, including 24/7 air conditioning to maintain plant-friendly temperatures, and artificial lighting for photosynthesis since doors and windows remained shut to avoid suspicion. “Chaudhury invested Rs 5,000-6,000 per plant, each taking 110 days to mature,” noted Khan. Notably, these plants yielded tenfold returns on his investment.
Despite cannabis seeds being scarce in India, Chaudhury acquired them through the foreign website Seedsman, with transactions conducted via PayPal. A postgraduate in English, Chaudhury educated himself through online resources about illicit home cultivation. Originally for personal use, he turned to commercial production four months ago, facilitated through connections on the dark web.

Chaudhury previously ran a food outlet near Jagat Farm, suffering financial hit during the pandemic. “He started consuming drugs when depression hit,” a senior officer shared. Inspired by narcotics-themed OTT series, Chaudhury was introduced to sourcing seeds abroad. He informed his family about organic farming as a supplementary income source without divulging his actual activities.