In a series of swift and coordinated operations, officers of the Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone-III, have intercepted three major smuggling attempts at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI), preventing the illegal import of high-value narcotics and exotic wildlife.
In the first case, on August 9, 2025, acting on profiling inputs, Customs officers intercepted a passenger who had arrived from Bangkok on flight 6E1052. A detailed examination of the passenger’s checked-in trolley bag led to the recovery of 2.873 kilograms of suspected Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana), with an estimated illicit market value of ₹2.87 crore. The narcotic was meticulously concealed inside the luggage. The passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
The second operation took place the next day, August 10, 2025, when Customs officers once again acted on profiling to stop a passenger arriving from Bangkok on flight 6E1060. Upon examining the baggage, officers found 2.339 kilograms of suspected Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana) valued at approximately ₹2.33 crore. The contraband had been cleverly hidden inside the trolley bag. The passenger was arrested under the NDPS Act.
In the third case, on August 11, 2025, based on specific intelligence, Customs officers intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok on flight 6E1052. A search of the passenger’s dark grey trolley bag revealed a startling cache of live exotic wildlife, including three Meerkats (Suricata suricatta), one Common Blue Tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides), one Four Eyed Turtle (Sacalia quadriocellata), two Iguanas (Red and Green) (Iguana spp.), one Pinktoe Tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) in white and orange coloration, two Brachypelma Tarantulas in grey-greenish coloration, one Antilles Pinktoe Tarantula (Caribena versicolor) in blue, three Ceram Mangrove Monitor Lizards (Varanus cerambonensis), and several Tree Crickets (Oecanthinae). The wildlife was concealed within compartments of the bag. The passenger was arrested under provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 read with the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
These consecutive interceptions highlight Mumbai Customs’ heightened vigilance and determination to combat smuggling activities. Officials emphasized their commitment to protecting the country from the twin threats of drug trafficking and illegal wildlife trade, which pose serious risks to public health, biodiversity, and national security.
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.
