The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 108.67 kg of hydroponic weed in pan-India operations over the last 20 days. These operations are part of an ongoing effort called "Operation Weed Out".

In one instance, DRI officers seized 39.2 kg of hydroponic weed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai on September 13-14, 2025. The weed was found in the checked-in baggage of two Indian nationals arriving from Bangkok. Three people were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of the intended recipient of the drugs. In another case, 7.8 kg of hydroponic weed was seized from two passengers smuggling it from Bangkok to Mumbai. These passengers were also arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985.

Between August 26 and September 12, 2025, the DRI made seizures of 61.67 kg of hydroponic weed being smuggled from Bangkok to various Indian cities, including Jaipur, Lucknow, and Kolkata.

Prior to these recent seizures, on August 20-21, 2025, the DRI seized 72.024 kg of hydroponic weed worth approximately ₹72 crore and ₹1.02 crore of illegal proceeds. Five people, including financiers and a mastermind, were arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985.

In August 2025, as part of "Operation WeedOut", the DRI dismantled a syndicate involved in smuggling hydroponic weed into India, arresting six people and recovering ₹1.02 crore in crime proceeds. The total seizure amounted to 72.024 kg of hydroponic weed, valued at around ₹72 crore. The syndicate reportedly used social media to recruit college dropouts and unemployed youth.

DRI officers made simultaneous interceptions at Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna Railway station in Bengaluru and Bhopal Junction. In Bengaluru, 29.88 kg of hydroponic weed was recovered from two passengers who had boarded the Rajdhani train for Delhi. In Bhopal, 24.186 kg of hydroponic weed was recovered from two passengers who had boarded the Rajdhani train from Bengaluru. The associate mastermind of the syndicate was traced to New Delhi, and ₹1.02 crore in drug trafficking proceeds were recovered from him. A passenger arriving in Bengaluru from Thailand was intercepted at a hotel, leading to the recovery of another 17.958 kg of hydroponic weed.

Earlier in August, the DRI had also busted a clandestine drug manufacturing facility in Bhopal, seizing 61.20 kg of Mephedrone and 541.53 kg of raw chemicals worth ₹92 crore.