In a major crackdown at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, customs and police officials seized hybrid marijuana worth approximately Rs 12.5 crore on Sunday. Four passengers were arrested in the operation, which authorities claim has dismantled an international drug smuggling syndicate exploiting air routes to bring banned narcotics into India.
Acting on specific intelligence about potential smuggling from Southeast Asia, officials zeroed in on a flight arriving from Bangkok. A thorough screening of passengers uncovered suspicious items in the luggage of four individuals, leading to detailed searches that revealed the contraband.
The haul consisted of high-quality hybrid marijuana, far more potent and expensive than regular cannabis, concealed in plastic packets. Completely banned under Indian law, this substance has an estimated international market value of Rs 12.5 crore. The arrested suspects include one resident from Vadodara and three from Punjab.
Preliminary investigations suggest the drugs were intended for distribution in major Indian cities where demand is surging. Authorities are now probing travel records, financial transactions, and international links to unravel the broader supply chain. A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, with samples sent for forensic analysis.
This seizure adds to a series of recent busts at the airport, including an earlier Rs 8 crore hydroponic cannabis consignment from Bangkok and another involving 3.9 kg of similar drugs. With smuggling attempts via international flights on the rise, security measures and intelligence-driven operations are being intensified to curb such activities effectively.