₹64 Cr Hydroponic Ganja seized at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, 4 arrested

In a major anti-narcotics operation, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs has arrested four passengers for allegedly smuggling a large consignment of high-value hydroponic ganja through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport . Officials confirmed that a total of 64.394 kilograms of the contraband, estimated to be worth ₹64.39 crore in the international market , was seized during the operation.

According to Customs authorities, the accused three Indian nationals and one foreign citizen had arrived from Bangkok, a route that has recently come under heightened scrutiny due to a surge in narcotics trafficking cases. Acting on specific intelligence inputs and under an ongoing special surveillance drive , officials intercepted the passengers and subjected them to detailed questioning and baggage checks.

“A thorough search led to the recovery of the concealed hydroponic ganja. During interrogation, the accused revealed that the consignment had been handed over to them in Bangkok with instructions to deliver it to contacts in Mumbai,” an official said.

The four individuals have been arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, and further investigations are underway to trace the broader smuggling network and identify key handlers behind the operation.

Hydroponic ganja is a form of cannabis cultivated using a soil-less technique , where plants are grown in nutrient-rich water under controlled conditions. Unlike traditionally grown cannabis, hydroponic variants are often more potent, uniform in quality, and command significantly higher prices in illegal markets. The controlled environment allows for faster growth cycles and higher yields, making it a preferred choice for international drug syndicates despite stricter enforcement.

Officials noted that the increasing inflow of such high-grade narcotics highlights evolving smuggling methods and the growing demand for premium cannabis products, prompting authorities to intensify surveillance and enforcement measures at key international transit points.