Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport have seized 17.720 kilograms of hydroponic weed in a suspected international drug smuggling operation involving passengers arriving from Bangkok and Sharjah.
The seizure was made by the Air Intelligence Unit during a targeted surveillance operation at the Delhi airport. Officials said the contraband, including packing material, was recovered from baggage linked to two passengers who are now under investigation.
According to Customs authorities, one of the passengers had arrived in Delhi from Bangkok on May 12 and had already been placed under discreet surveillance based on intelligence inputs.
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Passenger from Sharjah raised suspicion
According to Firstpost, another passenger arriving from Sharjah reportedly came under scrutiny while crossing the Green Channel with a bag that did not carry any baggage tag.
Officials said the luggage was subjected to X-ray screening, during which suspicious images were detected. This prompted a detailed examination and questioning of the passenger.
During the search, Customs officers allegedly recovered baggage tags from the individual. Investigators said the passenger later admitted that he had been instructed to collect a bag booked in the name of the Bangkok passenger.
Authorities suspect the operation may have been part of a coordinated attempt to bypass airport checks using separate carriers and baggage handling methods.
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Hydroponic weed recovered during baggage search
Firstpost noted that following the interrogation, Customs officials conducted a detailed inspection of the baggage and recovered 17.720 kilograms of hydroponic weed, commonly referred to as high-grade ganja.
Hydroponic weed is considered a premium and more potent form of cannabis cultivated using controlled water-based growing techniques rather than traditional soil farming. Law enforcement agencies have increasingly reported attempts to smuggle such narcotics into India through international airports.
Officials said the seized narcotics were concealed carefully inside the baggage, though details regarding the packaging method have not yet been disclosed publicly.
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Probe underway into larger network
According to Firstpost, customs authorities have registered a case under relevant provisions of the narcotics and customs laws, and further investigation is underway to determine the source, intended recipients, and possible links to an international trafficking network. Investigators are also examining whether more individuals were involved in coordinating the movement and collection of the narcotics at the airport.
