Mumbai Customs busts two smuggling rackets involving narcotics and high-end electronics at CSMIA over four days. Officials have seized hydroponic weed and electronic goods worth nearly ₹12.97 crore at the city’s international airport over the past four days, arresting nine passengers in two separate cases.
Hydroponic weed concealed in trolley bags
According to officials, acting on intelligence inputs, officers of Mumbai Customs Zone III intercepted three separate groups of passengers arriving from Bangkok at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) between Saturday and Tuesday, said a PTI report.
A detailed search of their luggage led to the recovery of 12.418 kilograms of hydroponic weed, a high-quality marijuana variant, valued at ₹12.4 crore in the international market. The narcotics were hidden inside trolley bags.
Six passengers were arrested under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Officials said the operation reflects growing attempts to smuggle synthetic and hydroponic drugs into India through Southeast Asian routes, noted PTI.
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What is hydroponic weed?
Hydroponic weed refers to cannabis that is grown without soil, using nutrient-rich water solutions in controlled indoor environments. This method allows cultivators to closely regulate temperature, humidity, and light closely, producing more potent and higher-quality marijuana compared to traditional soil-grown varieties.
Because of its stronger concentration of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, hydroponic weed often fetches a higher price in the black market.
Electronics smuggled from Sharjah flight
In another case, Customs officials intercepted three passengers arriving from Sharjah and seized undeclared high-end electronic goods worth ₹56.55 lakh.
The items included 40 iPhone 17 Pro Max units, 30 laptops, 12 liquor bottles, and cartons of cigarettes, all concealed inside trolley bags. The passengers were arrested under the Customs Act, and further investigation is underway.
Such seizures have reportedly become more frequent post-festive season, as smugglers attempt to bypass import duties and exploit gaps in passenger screening. The total value of the latest seized goods and narcotics stood at ₹12.97 crore.
