The officers of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs at Indira Gandhi International Airport seized over 2 kg of suspected ganja from an incoming international flight from Bangkok.
According to official sources, the case was detected on April 5 during surveillance of Flight AI-2303 operating on the Bangkok–Delhi route. Acting on specific intelligence and routine monitoring protocols, customs officers conducted a detailed inspection of the aircraft shortly after its arrival.
During the search, three suspicious packets wrapped in grey adhesive tape were recovered from a washroom dustbin inside the aircraft. The unusual concealment method raised immediate suspicion among officials, prompting further examination.
The recovered packets were subjected to X-ray screening, which confirmed the presence of concealed organic material. Upon opening, the packets were found to contain a green-coloured leafy substance suspected to be ganja (marijuana).
Officials reported that the gross weight of the seized material was approximately 2,357 grams, while the net weight of the contraband stood at 2,013.5 grams. The estimated market value of the seized substance is around ₹2.01 crore, indicating a potentially high-value illegal consignment intended for distribution.
The seized narcotic substance, along with the packaging material, has been confiscated under the provisions of Section 43(a) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, which empowers authorities to seize illicit drugs and related materials.
Officials suspect that the drugs were deliberately abandoned in the aircraft lavatory to evade detection during passenger screening. This modus operandi is often used by traffickers attempting to avoid direct possession at the time of customs checks.
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