In one of the largest anti-narcotics operations in recent times, officers of the Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone-III, have seized a staggering 33.355 kilograms of suspected Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana) during their duty over two consecutive nights — 08/09 and 09/10 July 2025 — at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI), Mumbai.
The seized contraband, with an estimated illicit market value of approximately Rs. 33.355 crores, was recovered in six separate cases, resulting in the arrest of seven passengers and one receiver, under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
During the night of 08/09 July 2025, acting on specific intelligence, Mumbai Customs officers intercepted a passenger arriving from Malaysia and recovered 5.024 kg of suspected Hydroponic Weed. The narcotic substances were concealed in vacuum-sealed black and transparent plastic packets hidden inside the passenger’s trolley bag. One passenger was arrested in connection with this seizure.
On the following night, 09/10 July 2025, in five separate seizures, Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport intercepted multiple passengers arriving from Bangkok, using a combination of profiling and specific intelligence. The officers recovered Hydroponic Weed concealed in similar vacuum-sealed packets hidden inside trolley bags. The individual recoveries included 2.425 kg and 2.481 kg, leading to the arrest of two passengers. In a major bust, 11.891 kg was recovered from two passengers, both of whom were arrested. In addition, one person who had come to receive the consignment was apprehended from the auto-rickshaw parking zone outside the airport. Two more passengers were intercepted with 5.582 kg and 5.952 kg of Hydroponic Weed, respectively, and were subsequently arrested.
In all these cases, the mode of concealment and the origin of travel point toward a well-organized smuggling network exploiting international air travel routes to traffic high-grade marijuana into India.
A Growing Threat
Hydroponic Weed, known for its higher potency and cultivation through soil-free methods, commands a premium in illicit markets, especially in metropolitan cities. This operation marks a significant blow to the drug trafficking routes between Southeast Asia and India.
The Mumbai Customs authorities have reiterated their commitment to curbing the inflow of narcotics into the country and safeguarding the nation against drug-related crimes. The arrested individuals are being interrogated to unearth deeper links and possible international drug syndicates.
Investigations are ongoing.
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