PANAJI
The Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) arrested a Russian national, busting a home-grown cannabis farming operation where seeds were ordered online and delivered from other nations via couriers.
Lurii Korytin, a business visa holder, would then sell the final product through the dark web and social media platforms, primarily Telegram. The ANC stated that seeds for hydroponic weed and hydroponic cannabis powder were placed through websites and these were delivered to his doorstep via courier.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, SP ANC Akshat Kaushal stated that Korytin had rented a place in Pernem where he clandestinely grew drugs.
"He was using certain websites to import seeds to India and then growing these plants. He would sell them through the dark web and social media, especially Telegram,” he said, adding that the accused was caught with 1.7 kg of hydroponic weed worth Rs 85 lakhs and hydroponic cannabis powder worth Rs 18 lakhs. His buyers were mostly foreign nationals.
The Russian is not new to Goa as his first visit was in 2016 when he performed as a DJ at some reputed clubs in Morjim and Arambol. “He thereafter shifted back to Russia in 2019 and subsequently travelled to Thailand, where he started growing hydroponic weed by setting up his own lab,” the SP revealed, quoting the foreigner’s interrogation.
However, due to minimal profits, the peddler shifted his base to Goa in February 2023 “ renting out an apartment in Siolim to live with his wife and six-year-old child - and began making regular trips to different states and countries.
To carry out his drug-related activities, Kaushal revealed another premises in Pernem, where he set up a nursery facility for growing cannabis.
The ANC has also exposed his payment mode, which was through cryptocurrency. According to the SP, they will seek the assistance of central agencies to understand the linkage of cryptocurrency and the entire money flow.
The Russian has also informed the ANC that the activity was legal in Thailand, a claim which will be verified. Moreover, Kaushal added that while the seeds do not fall under the NDPS Act, the full-grown plants attract the offence. The ANC will also seek the assistance of Russian translators to help in better interrogation of the accused “ currently remanded to seven days of police custody by the magistrate.
