Officers of Mumbai Customs Zone-3 made multiple significant seizures during passenger screenings at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) on November 5.

Case 1: Based on profiling, the officers intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok on flight SL218. An examination of the checked-in baggage revealed 5.922 kg of suspected hydroponic weed (marijuana), which has an estimated illicit market value of Rs 5.922 crore. The contraband was concealed inside the passenger’s trolley bag. The passenger has been arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985.

Case 2: Officers intercepted two passengers from Bangkok arriving on flight AI2338. During the inspection of the baggage, they recovered 12.017 kg of suspected hydroponic weed, worth approximately Rs 12.017 crore, hidden inside chocolate and chips packets. Both the passengers were arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985.

Case 3: In a separate interception, a passenger arriving from Dubai on flight AI2202 was found carrying eight 24-carat gold bangles (225 grams) valued at Rs 25.64 lakh, concealed in their body.

Customs seizes hydroponic weed, Rs 26-lakh gold at Mumbai Airport

Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai seized hydroponic weed valued at over Rs 17.93 crore and gold worth Rs 25.64 lakh in three separate cases. 

The seizures were made on Wednesday, an officer said.

In the first case, customs officers arrested a passenger who had arrived from Bangkok with 5.922 kg of hydroponic weed worth Rs 5.922 crore. The contraband was concealed in a trolley bag, he informed.

In the second incident, two passengers who had travelled from Bangkok were intercepted. Customs officers collectively recovered 12.017 kg of suspected hydroponic weed valued at Rs 12.017 crore, the officer added. 

The drug was hidden inside chocolate and chips packets, he said, adding that both passengers were arrested.

Hydroponic weed, a potent and expensive form of ganja, is cultivated using water-based, nutrient-rich solutions instead of traditional soil methods.

In another case, a passenger arriving from Dubai was apprehended with eight pieces of 24 KT gold bangles, weighing 225 grams, worth Rs 25.64 lakh, reported PTI.

Customs authorities said investigations are underway to trace the wider network linked to the seized narcotics and smuggling attempts. 

(With PTI inputs)

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