Massive drug haul at Hyd airport, 4.15 kg Cannabis seized

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Sunday seized 4.15 kg of hydroponic weed, valued at Rs 4.15 crore, from a passenger at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

According to the DRI, officers from the Hyderabad Zonal Unit acted on specific intelligence and intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok on October 25. During a systematic search of her baggage, packets containing a greenish lumpy substance were found, which later tested positive for Cannabis.

The drugs were cleverly hidden inside a false bottom of the luggage. The passenger has been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The DRI stated that further investigation is ongoing to trace the source and any other links to the case.

Hydroponic cannabis, like the one seized at Hyderabad airport, has become increasingly popular in India in recent years. Unlike traditional ganja, hydroponic weed is grown indoors using advanced techniques, resulting in higher potency and cleaner, more appealing buds. Most of these high-quality strains are imported from countries like Thailand, where they are legally cultivated, and then smuggled into India through air passengers, courier services, or small postal shipments. Airports in major cities such as Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Chennai have seen several such interceptions, reflecting a growing demand among urban consumers.

The rise of this trade is largely driven by economic and social factors. Urban youth and affluent groups seek premium cannabis, making it highly profitable for traffickers. Small quantities can fetch huge sums, attracting organized networks and individual couriers alike. The use of false compartments, courier networks, and land or maritime routes helps smugglers bypass strict enforcement, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and intelligence-based operations.