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Key Points

India has seen a sharp rise in hybrid cannabis smuggling, with 373 kg seized in 2025—a 24% jump from last year. Karnataka and Gujarat lead the seizures, while Kerala emerges as a new trafficking route linked to Thailand. The government has intensified enforcement with NCORD and the MANAS helpline. International couriers and dark web networks are driving the surge in high-potency cannabis smuggling.

Key Points: India Seizes 373 kg Hybrid Cannabis in 2025 as Smuggling Surges

  • Karnataka tops with 158 kg seized in 2025
  • Gujarat follows with 85 kg, up from 22.3 kg
  • Kerala reports first-ever hybrid cannabis cases via Thailand
  • Govt activates NCORD and MANAS helpline for enforcement
2 min read

Hybrid cannabis smuggling surges: 373 kg seized, 77 arrested in 2025 with K'taka and Gujarat leading the list

Karnataka and Gujarat lead hybrid cannabis seizures with 373 kg in 2025, a 24% spike. Kerala emerges as a new trafficking hotspot via Thailand parcels.

Hybrid cannabis smuggling surges: 373 kg seized, 77 arrested in 2025 with K'taka and Gujarat leading the list
"Drug syndicates are evolving rapidly, and India’s response is pivoting to tech-enabled countermeasures. – NCB Report"

New Delhi, July 22

India has witnessed a sharp rise in hybrid cannabis smuggling, with seizures of 373 kg recorded in just the first five months of 2025 - a 24 per cent jump from 302 kg in all of 2024.

According to a written response by Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, reveals a widening network using air routes, international couriers, and even the dark web to smuggle high-potency hydroponic ganja, with Kerala making its first appearance as a trafficking hotspot.

According to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Karnataka tops the chart with 158 kg seized, a massive spike from 56 kg last year.

Gujarat follows with 85 kg this year, up from 22.3 kg in 2024, and Maharashtra with 46 kg, down from 72.3 kg the previous year. Other states with notable 2025 seizures include Tamil Nadu (54 kg), Odisha (11 kg), and Telangana (11 kg). While Kerala had zero seizures in 2023 and 2024, this year it reported 3 kg in two separate cases, accompanied by five arrests - signalling its emergence as a new node in the hybrid cannabis supply chain.

The seizures in Kerala were traced to parcels booked from Thailand, further confirming the growing role of international courier networks.

Overall, 77 arrests have been made in 2025 across 56 cases involving hybrid cannabis, compared to 51 arrests in 101 cases last year. The government has flagged the issue with Thai authorities, particularly the use of human couriers on flights and parcel smuggling, during a bilateral meeting in Bangkok (May 27-29, 2025).

To strengthen enforcement, the Centre has activated a four-tier Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD), directed all states to form Anti-Narcotics Task Forces, and launched the MANAS helpline (1933) for citizen reporting.

The data underscores a troubling trend: drug syndicates are evolving rapidly, and India’s response is now pivoting to tech-enabled and internationally coordinated countermeasures.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the numbers are concerning, I appreciate the government's efforts in setting up NCORD and the MANAS helpline. But we also need more awareness programs in colleges about the dangers of these hybrid drugs. Prevention is better than cure!
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Aman W
The dark web angle is most dangerous. Our cyber crime units need to be strengthened. Also surprised to see Kerala in the list - thought it was one of the most educated states. Shows drugs don't discriminate based on literacy levels.
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Sarah B
As someone working in rehabilitation, I see many cases where hybrid cannabis is the gateway to harder drugs. The potency is 5-10 times higher than traditional charas. Parents need to be more vigilant about their children's friend circles and online activities.
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Vikram M
The Thailand connection is worrying. Our embassies should work closely with Thai authorities. Also, why is the punishment not more severe? These smugglers are destroying families and should get life imprisonment at least.
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Nisha Z
While enforcement is important, we also need to address why demand is increasing. Stress, unemployment, peer pressure - these are root causes that need solutions. Just catching smugglers won't solve the drug problem completely.
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David E
The tech solutions mentioned are good, but implementation is key. Many times these hel

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