New Delhi, August 2: Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport have arrested a passenger and seized 2,759 grams of suspected hydroponic weed (ganja/marijuana) in a major anti-smuggling operation.
According to Customs, the operation was carried out by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) after the passenger, who had arrived from Phuket on Air India Flight AI 2377 on August 2, was intercepted based on Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) profiling after crossing the Customs Green Channel.
During X-ray screening of the passenger’s baggage, officials detected suspicious images. A detailed examination led to the recovery of four vacuum-sealed packets containing a green-coloured substance suspected to be hydroponic weed (ganja/marijuana).
The total weight of the seized substance, including the packaging material, was found to be 2,759 grams.
Customs officials have registered a case under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The passenger has been arrested under Section 43(b) of the Act, while the suspected contraband, along with the concealment material and packaging, has been seized under Section 43(a) of the NDPS Act.
Officials said the seized substance will undergo forensic examination to confirm its exact nature, and further investigation is underway to determine the source, intended destination and any possible links to an organised drug trafficking network.