In a major narcotics bust, Customs officers at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi, have booked a case of smuggling after seizing nearly 5 kilograms of a green-coloured narcotic substance suspected to be ganja/marijuanaconcealed inside jackfruits. The seizure was made from two Indian passengers who arrived from Bangkok on October 24, 2025.
According to Customs officials, the passengers arrived at Terminal-3, IGI Airport, by flight no. SG-88 and attempted to clear the green channel when officers on duty intercepted them based on specific suspicion. The duo, along with their baggage, was diverted for x-ray screening and detailed examination.
Upon inspection, officials discovered eight yellow-coloured polythene pouches hidden inside two bags. Each pouch contained a green, leafy substance concealed in jackfruit-shaped polythene packaging. The total weight of the recovered material was found to be 4,941.5 grams (net weight).
Preliminary diagnostic tests conducted at the airport indicated that the seized substance was ganja/marijuana, a prohibited narcotic under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The approximate market value of the contraband is estimated at ₹4.94 crore.
Following the recovery, Customs officers launched a swift follow-up operation that led to the arrest of four suspected receivers involved in the illicit trafficking network. In total, six individuals — two passengers and four receivers — have been apprehended.
A senior Customs official confirmed, “The passengers, as well as the receivers, have been found in violation of Section 8 of the NDPS Act, 1985, and are liable for offences punishable under Sections 20, 23, and 29 of the same Act. They were formally arrested under Section 43(b) of the NDPS Act at around 9:00 AM on October 25, 2025.”
The seized narcotics, along with the concealing and packaging materials, were confiscated under Section 43(a) of the NDPS Act.
Authorities have initiated a comprehensive investigation to uncover the broader network and source of supply. Preliminary inquiries suggest that the consignment may have been part of a larger syndicate smuggling narcotics into India from Southeast Asia under the guise of perishable goods.
Customs officials at IGI Airport have reiterated their commitment to combating drug trafficking, highlighting that sophisticated concealment techniques will continue to be countered through enhanced profiling, advanced screening technology, and vigilant manpower deployment.
