Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officers have intercepted a passenger arriving on Flight FD-146 from Thailand and conducted a thorough check of their checked-in luggage. Several vacuum-sealed packets containing a green substance were found, which field tests confirmed as cannabis.
Officials reported that 15.94 kg of hydroponic cannabis was seized under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The black market value of the drugs is estimated to be ₹15.94 crore. The accused individual has been arrested, and legal proceedings are underway.
The DRI noted that this form of cannabis is cultivated without soil, using controlled, nutrient-rich water, resulting in higher potency than conventional cannabis, according to an ANI report.
Smuggling trends & enforcement challenges
This high-value seizure underscores a disturbing trend: mid-sized airports like Lucknow are increasingly being exploited as entry points for narcotics trafficking. A DRI official has stated that over the past six months, multiple busts have occurred at Lucknow airport involving hydroponic cannabis and synthetic drugs, according to an HT report.
Earlier this year, authorities had already seized 15.46 kg of hydroponic cannabis at the same airport from two passengers arriving from Bangkok.
The arrested suspect is expected to face charges under multiple sections of the NDPS Act, including possession, smuggling, and intent to distribute. Investigators are examining whether this haul ties into a larger international network.
