Sarkhej: Sarkhej Police has nabbed three persons Ravi Musarka, Viren Mahadi, and Ratika Prasad for the plantation of Ganja (Marijuana or weed or cannabis) in rented flats using the hydroponics method. All accused are migrants in Gujarat from Eastern states. The accused had decided to do indoor farming in Gujarat as it ranks best when it comes to continuous power supply which was very important for indoor plantation in controlled temperature.

Police busted this cultivation of Ganja from two rented flats in the Orchid Legacy building. The flats were hired for a monthly rent of Rs. 35,000. Police have seized as many as 48 planters along with water tanks, RO plants, oxygen cylinders, AC, fans, and other items.

Police said all three accused are migrants. Among the accused, a woman is from Girdi in Jharkhand State.

Police said 48 plants of Ganja were recovered. The plants are 3 to 5 inches high. They were being cultivated using hydroponics techniques. Such cultivation has been found in Gujarat for the first time. Generally, ganja plants will be ready in 150-160 days, but these accused were capable of growing the plants faster.

One of the accused Raviprakash Murarka’s brother has knowledge of agriculture science. He supplied seeds for this indoor plantation and guided the methods. He might have come physically here to lay out the setup.

The accused had rented two flats around one and a half months ago.

Ganja plants can progress faster in 16 to 20-degree temperatures. The accused were using a humidity maintenance meter, and automatic switch on and off the drip irrigation system. They were ensuring that the humidity level did not go above 80 percent. They were also using fertility growth chemicals. A woman accused was maintaining the cultivation.

Police have recovered 11,625 gram ganja worth Rs. 1.15 lakh and accessories worth Rs. 4.87 lakh from the location.

Police said the accused have not sold ganja so far here. Some samples of wet powder treated by chemicals are recovered from the location of the crime.

Police said the accused were here just for the cultivation of Ganja. Prima facie it appears that they were using high-quality seeds. The flat owner will face police action for breach of public notification if he/she has not reported the details of his/her tenants to the police station while renting the flats. DeshGujarat