Five arrested in Rs 6 crore hydroponic ganja bust at Bengaluru airport

Customs officials at Kempegowda International Airport have seized over 17 kg of hydroponic ganja from passengers arriving from Bangkok , arresting five individuals in two separate cases and intensifying scrutiny of international drug smuggling through Southeast Asian routes.

In the first case, officers intercepted a male passenger and recovered 5.78 kg of hydroponic ganja valued at Rs 2.02 crore . The narcotics were concealed inside the passenger’s baggage and were detected during checks at Terminal 2 on April 17 , according to a statement posted by Bengaluru Customs on X .

In a separate interception, customs officials stopped four female passengers arriving from Bangkok and discovered 11.72 kg of hydroponic ganja , estimated to be worth Rs 4.10 crore , hidden in their checked-in baggage after a detailed inspection.

All five accused were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 , which carries stringent penalties including imprisonment and heavy fines for trafficking narcotics. Authorities said the suspects will be produced before a court and further investigation is underway to determine the origin of the drugs and the intended recipients in India .

Officials noted that hydroponic ganja , a high-potency form of cannabis grown using controlled indoor cultivation techniques , commands a significantly higher price in illegal markets. Investigators suspect the passengers may have been drug carriers working for organised smuggling networks operating across international routes.

Customs authorities have also observed a rising pattern of drug trafficking attempts via flights from Southeast Asia , particularly Bangkok, with several recent seizures at Indian airports involving similar concealment methods in passenger luggage.

Investigations are continuing to trace the larger trafficking network and possible handlers behind the operation , officials said.