30 Kg Hydroponic Weed Seized at Delhi Airport, Three Arrested in Bangkok Smuggling Bust

In a major crackdown on international drug trafficking, Delhi Customs seized 30.52 kg of suspected hydroponic weed in two separate smuggling cases involving passengers arriving from Bangkok at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport . The operation led to the arrest of three people , including two alleged receivers who were caught outside the airport during a follow-up operation.

According to Customs officials, both passengers were intercepted on July 18 after crossing the green channel . They had been flagged through the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) , which identified them for detailed screening.

In the first case, an X-ray examination of a passenger's baggage revealed suspicious images. A thorough search led to the recovery of 9.760 kg of suspected hydroponic weed , a high-potency variety of cannabis cultivated using nutrient-rich water instead of soil.

During interrogation, the passenger allegedly disclosed that two individuals were waiting outside the airport to collect the consignment. Acting swiftly on this information, Customs officers launched a follow-up operation and apprehended both suspected receivers, exposing what officials believe was a coordinated delivery network.

In a separate operation on the same day, another passenger arriving from Bangkok was intercepted after APIS profiling. Detailed baggage screening resulted in the seizure of an additional 20.760 kg of suspected hydroponic weed concealed inside the luggage.

The passengers were arrested under Section 43(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 , while the recovered narcotics, along with the concealment materials and packaging, were seized under Section 43(a) of the Act.

Officials said the twin seizures highlight the growing use of Bangkok-Delhi flight routes by drug traffickers and underscore the effectiveness of intelligence-led passenger profiling and coordinated enforcement at one of India's busiest international airports. Further investigation is underway to determine whether the accused are linked to a larger cross-border narcotics syndicate.