Bangkok |New Delhi | Bengaluru, November 27, 2025 – The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in close coordination with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), has exposed a major international hydroponic cannabis smuggling network run from Thailand. The breakthrough came through real-time technical surveillance of WhatsApp and Telegram chats of a woman arrested at Delhi airport on November 8, which directly led to the dramatic arrest of three couriers in Bengaluru yesterday. The operation, codenamed “Digital Fortress,” culminated today with the apprehension of three passengers at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, marking the first major success of cyber surveillance-led enforcement in India’s anti-narcotics arsenal.
How the Chain Unfolded
On November 8, Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport arrested 35-year-old Priya Sharma (name changed) after she attempted to clear immigration wearing a fake grey jacket bearing the National Emblem and “National Investigation Agency” markings. Concealed inside two official-looking cloth bags were 11.35 kg of high-grade hydroponic weed worth over ₹3 crore in the domestic market.
During sustained interrogation, the woman broke down and revealed that she had been trapped with false promises of love and marriage by a Thailand-based handler known as “Ali Bhai”. She disclosed that Ali Bhai introduced her to the syndicate’s mastermind, Raj Raunak alias “Badsah Bhai”, during a fully-sponsored trip to Bangkok in September 2025. Raj Raunak, who jumped bail in Thailand after his July 21 arrest in Chanthaburi with 19.8 kg of cannabis, personally handed her the consignment and instructed her to wear the counterfeit NIA jacket.
Sources in the NCB confirm that the woman has turned approver and is cooperating fully. “She was emotionally manipulated and financially lured. She is innocent in the larger conspiracy and will be produced as a prosecution witness,” a senior officer told reporters on condition of anonymity. These revelations have now propelled a deeper probe, as the woman—having turned approver in the case—has implicated an officer named Arun, raising alarms about internal complicity.
From Delhi Chats to Bengaluru Arrests
Immediate technical surveillance was mounted on woman’sphone. NCB’s cyber cell, with outsourced forensic expertise, restored deleted WhatsApp and Telegram chats, voice notes, and payment screenshots. The chats pointed to “Ali Bhai” (real identity still under wraps) as the Bangkok-based coordinator who was simultaneously handling multiple Indian couriers.
One particular group administered by Ali Bhai showed live coordination for Air India Express flight IX-883 (Bangkok–Bengaluru) scheduled for November 26. Three passengers were instructed to collect identical trolley bags near Suvarnabhumi Airport and board the flight.
Acting on this precise intelligence, NCB’s Bengaluru Zonal Unit, backed by CISF, intercepted the flight immediately after landing on November 26 night, passengers were taken into custody.
