Mumbai police bust indoor hydroponic cannabis setup in Borivali, electrician arrested

The accused, Babbu Sonu Kamat, was growing hydroponic cannabis in his home in Borivli. Pics/By Special Arrangement

The MHB Colony Police have busted an alleged indoor hydroponic cannabis cultivation setup operating from a house in Ganpat Patil Nagar, Borivli West, and arrested a 30-year-old electrician/wireman in connection with the case. The accused has been identified as Babbu Sonu Kamat, a resident of Ganpat Patil Nagar, Gully No. 4. According to police, Kamat was allegedly cultivating cannabis using hydroponic techniques and had also brought the drug for sale.

Acting on information, police raided the premises near Jeevdani Mata Temple around 12.10 am on August 15. During the raid, officers allegedly found live cannabis plants, dried hydroponic cannabis and a complete indoor cultivation setup.

Accused with PSI Sandeep Vatre, with police personnel Bablu Salunkhe, Ravindra Dhamle, Ajay Pawar, Sunil Maske and Abhijit Ghadge

Police said they seized 54 grams of dried hydroponic cannabis valued at approximately Rs 1.62 lakh and 179 grams of live cannabis plants valued at around R2.68 lakh. The plants were about one foot tall, with roots extending into water. The indoor setup allegedly included grow tents, LED grow lights, an air conditioner, fans, water pumps, nutrient tanks, pH and TDS meters, temperature and EC meters, an air chiller, ventilation pipes and various chemicals used for hydroponic cultivation. The equipment and chemicals were valued at approximately Rs 1.76 lakh.

The total value of the seized cannabis, live plants, cultivation equipment and chemicals has been estimated at around Rs 6.07 lakh, police said. Kamat was arrested on August 15. A case has been registered at MHB Colony Police Station under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, including Sections 8(b)(c) and 20(a)(b). The operation was conducted under the guidance of DCP Sandeep Ghuge, North Zone II, ACP Sudhakar Humbe of Gorai Division, Senior Inspector Vivek Sonawane and Police Inspector Milind Nagpure.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of DCP Sandeep Ghuge, North Zone II, ACP Sudhakar Humbe of Gorai Division, Senior Inspector Vivek Sonawane and Police Inspector Milind Nagpure.

The investigation is being conducted by PSI Sandeep Vatre, with police personnel Bablu Salunkhe, Ravindra Dhamle, Ajay Pawar, Sunil Maske and Abhijit Ghadge assisting in the probe.