In a significant crackdown on international narcotics trafficking, officers of Ahmedabad Customs have seized 5.368 kg (gross) of Hydroponic Marijuana (Ganja) from a passenger who arrived at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport from Bangkok, Thailand.

The seizure was made after Customs officers, acting on passenger profiling and intelligence-based surveillance, intercepted the traveller for a detailed examination. During the inspection, officials discovered the contraband carefully concealed inside the passenger’s checked-in baggage.

Hydroponic marijuana, a high-potency form of cannabis cultivated using hydroponic techniques, commands a significantly higher value in the illicit market compared to conventional cannabis due to its enhanced THC content.

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Following the recovery of the narcotic substance, the passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The accused will face further legal proceedings in accordance with the stringent provisions of the Act governing the possession, transportation, and smuggling of narcotic drugs.

Customs authorities have initiated a detailed investigation to ascertain the source of the consignment, identify any interstate or international trafficking syndicates involved, and determine whether the accused was acting independently or as part of a larger drug-smuggling network.

The seizure underscores the continued vigilance of Customs authorities at international airports, particularly on routes identified as vulnerable to narcotics smuggling. Passenger profiling and risk-based intelligence remain key tools in detecting attempts to illegally import psychotropic substances into India.

Officials stated that further investigation is underway to uncover the broader network behind the attempted smuggling operation.

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