In a significant bust, Delhi Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, Terminal-3, intercepted a high-value consignment of hydroponic ganja, valued at approximately ₹12 crore, in a meticulously executed operation rooted in spot profiling techniques.

The case unfolded when an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok via Colombo, on flights UL-403 and UL-195 respectively, attempted to exit through the Green Channel. Acting on instincts sharpened by experience and vigilance, Customs officers flagged the individual for further scrutiny.

A subsequent X-ray and thorough manual inspection of the passenger’s grey trolley bag revealed 12 polythene packets concealed within. These packets contained a green-coloured substance suspected to be ganja/marijuana. On weighing, the contraband was found to be 12.016 kg.

Preliminary diagnostic tests conducted by Customs confirmed the substance to be hydroponic ganja—a high-potency variant of cannabis cultivated under controlled conditions. The passenger was immediately arrested under Sections 8, 20, 23, and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The contraband and the concealment material were seized under Section 43 of the NDPS Act.

Sources confirm that the passenger is currently in custody and a deeper investigation is underway to unravel the wider network behind the smuggling attempt. Authorities are exploring potential international and domestic links, and examining travel and communication records to identify any syndicate involvement.

This operation underscores the crucial role played by vigilant customs officers in intercepting sophisticated smuggling attempts and safeguarding national security at key international transit points.

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Mariya Paliwala

Mariya is the Senior Editor at Juris Hour. She has 5+ years of experience on covering tax litigation stories from the Supreme Court, High Courts and various tribunals including CESTAT, ITAT, NCLAT, NCLT, etc. Mariya graduated from MLSU Law College, Udaipur (Raj.) with B.A.LL.B. and also holds an LL.M. She started as a freelance tax reporter in the leading online legal news companies like LiveLaw & Taxscan.

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