Customs Bust Drug Smuggling Bid at Chennai Airport, Seize Ganja Worth ₹10.75 Crore

Chennai Customs officials have foiled an attempt to smuggle 10.75 kg of hydroponic ganja from Thailand and arrested two Indian passengers at Anna International Airport , officials said on Saturday.

Acting on specific intelligence, Customs officers intercepted the passengers after their arrival from Bangkok on January 28 aboard a Thai Airways flight . A detailed examination of their checked-in trolley bags led to the recovery of the contraband, which was concealed in vacuum-sealed packets hidden inside chocolate and snack pouches .

The arrested persons have been identified as two Indian male nationals aged 26 and 28 , natives of Kollam district in Kerala . Officials said the duo were first-time international flyers who had travelled to Thailand posing as tourists and returned on the same flight.

Preliminary testing using a Narcotics Field Drug Testing Kit confirmed the seized substance to be ganja , a prohibited drug under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 . The seized hydroponic ganja is estimated to have a street value of around ₹10.75 crore , Customs sources said.

During interrogation, the accused confessed that they were recruited by an international drug trafficking syndicate , which lured them with promises of free air tickets, accommodation in Bangkok and hefty payments . They also revealed that they were trained on how to respond to questioning by authorities and were instructed to delete all incriminating data from their mobile phones to avoid detection.

Customs officials said the suspects appeared tense and nervous while attempting to pass through the Green Channel , prompting officers to conduct a thorough baggage check that led to the seizure.

Both accused were produced before the Judicial Magistrate, Alandur , and were remanded to judicial custody . Further investigation is underway to identify the handlers, syndicate members and intended local receivers of the consignment.

The Customs department has once again cautioned the public, particularly youth, against falling prey to “easy money” offers , noting that smuggling networks are increasingly exploiting unsuspecting individuals as couriers. Involvement in such offences attracts stringent punishment and long-term legal consequences under the NDPS Act.