Three Bangkok Passengers Held at Delhi Airport in Rs 24 Crore Drug Bust

Customs officials at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport have seized more than 24 kg of suspected marijuana valued at over Rs 24 crore in three separate cases involving passengers arriving from Bangkok , officials said on Thursday.

In the largest seizure, Customs officials intercepted an Uzbek national who arrived from Bangkok on May 4 following specific intelligence inputs. According to an official statement, the passenger was off-loaded from the international transit area and subjected to a detailed examination.

During the search, officials recovered 12 polythene pouches containing suspected marijuana concealed inside a sea green trolley bag. The seized contraband weighed 18.003 kg and was estimated to be worth nearly Rs 18 crore in the illicit market.

The passenger was arrested on May 5 under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, commonly known as the NDPS Act , and the narcotic substance was taken into custody.

In another case on May 6, Customs officials intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok at the airport’s Green Channel based on profiling. An X-ray scan and detailed baggage examination led to the recovery of 11 polythene pouches containing a green-coloured narcotic substance hidden inside a black trolley bag.

Officials said the seized substance weighed 5.467 kg and carried an estimated street value of around Rs 5.46 crore . The passenger was subsequently arrested under the NDPS Act.

In a third incident, another Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok at Terminal-3 on May 3 was intercepted during profiling checks. During baggage inspection, officials recovered four polythene pouches containing suspected marijuana weighing 977 grams .

Field tests conducted by officials confirmed the substance to be marijuana, valued at nearly Rs 97.77 lakh in the illegal market. The passenger was arrested and further investigation is underway, officials added.