Goa Police have arrested a man in possession of 11.672 kilograms of hydroponic weed, valued at Rs 11.67 crore, marking the state’s largest-ever drug seizure. The arrest took place on Saturday in Guirim village, a quiet stretch between Panaji and Mapusa, following a Crime Branch operation that dismantled a significant drug racket. The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed, faces charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

A Crime Branch spokesperson hailed the seizure as a historic breakthrough, noting that the hydroponic weed—grown without soil using nutrient-rich water solutions—was intercepted after meticulous intelligence work. “This is the biggest drug haul in Goa’s history,” the spokesperson said, underscoring the operation’s scale. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant took to X to commend the police, stating, “Congratulations to the Crime Branch Goa Police for Goa’s biggest-ever drug bust! This is a testament to our law enforcement’s relentless efforts to keep our state drug-free.”

Sawant reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on drugs, pledging to bolster intelligence networks and surveillance to protect Goa’s youth and society. The seizure highlights the growing presence of sophisticated drug cultivation methods like hydroponics, which allow discreet, high-yield production. As investigations continue, authorities aim to trace the supply chain and dismantle broader networks. This record haul signals a robust crackdown on narcotics in the coastal state, long a tourist hub now grappling with rising drug-related challenges.