Kochi: It was Idukki Gold, the infamous ganja from the high ranges of Kerala, that brought Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to the state. Reports revealed that the self-proclaimed godman, now convicted in a 2002 rape case, had close links to the international smuggling racket known as 'Kuwait Cartel,' in which some Keralites were also involved.
Gurmeet's connections to a gang that collects Idukki Gold in large quantities became known when a drug-trafficking racket was busted by the Delhi police. The gang had carried to Delhi Rs150-crore worth derivatives of ganja on December 29, 2013, for a New Year celebration. Four of them - Ragmeet Singh, Gurbeer Singh, Gurumukh Singh and Avatar Singh - were found to be closely linked to Gurmeet. However, the investigation did not extend to the headquarters of Dera Sacha Sauda after Gurmeet's top-level contacts cracked the whip.
The Central Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) had evidence that Gurmeet used drugs in large quantities at his 'musical worship' programs, but central agencies were never allowed to go anywhere near him. Confidential reports say the key linkmen in the Kuwait Cartel - Ali Abdullah, suspected to be a Keralite, and Afghan national Saimulla - had visited Sirsa, where the Dera headquarters is located.
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The Delhi police had seized Rs 125 crore worth narcotics smuggled into Sirsa in June, 2013.
The Kerala police and excise department had received tip-off that security vehicles accompanying Gurmeet during his visits to Kochi carried narcotic substances. However, the police could not check his convoy because he had Z+ category security; they could only provide him protection.
Kuwait Cartel
The cartel led by Keralites hold monopoly over the distribution of ganja products in the international market. They also dominated the global market for raw ganja from Kerala, besides derivatives like heroin and hashish. The racket had launched smuggling of gold to Kerala to pay for narcotics. The NCB collected details of 13 Keralites as part of its probe of the Kuwait Cartel. Three people were questioned. The cartel's activities in Kerala slowed down after that.
Idukki Gold
This variety of ganja grown in the high ranges was earlier known as 'Neelachadayan.' It has another name too: Mahadevan. There are active rackets that smuggle ganja from other states and sell it here as Idukki Gold because the Kerala variety fetches double the price compared to those in states like Andhra and Odisha.
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