Hydroponic weed worth ₹4.83 crore seized at Delhi airport; passenger arrested

Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi seized hydroponic herb worth around Rs 4.80 crore from an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok and arrested him under the NDPS Act, an official statement said.

It was stated that the passenger arrived from Bangkok on Air India flight AI 2335 on June 21 and was caught after crossing the Green Channel based on profiling.

The statement said, “Some suspicious images were noticed during the x-ray scanning of the luggage.”

During a detailed examination of the trunk, hydroponic herb (ganja) weighing approximately 13.84 kg was seized.

“Further examination of the luggage resulted in the seizure of hydroponic herb with a total gross weight of approximately 13,840 grams. The estimated value of the seized contraband is around ₹ 4.83 crore,” the statement said.

Hydroponic weed is a high-potency form of marijuana grown using water-based nutrient solutions instead of soil and is often sold at a higher price on the illicit market.

“Accordingly, the passenger was arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985 and the suspected hydroponic herb and packaging material were seized,” the statement said.

Further investigation is ongoing to determine the source and intended destination of the contraband and to determine whether the defendant is linked to a larger drug trafficking network, the statement said.