Hyderabad: Customs officials seized hydroponic cannabis worth about ₹14 crore at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport during surprise checks at the international arrivals terminal on Thursday morning.
Acting on suspicion, Customs officers intercepted two passengers who arrived in Hyderabad from Qatar on a Qatar Airways flight. During preliminary questioning, officials noticed inconsistencies in their responses. Therefore, the officers subjected their baggage to detailed scanning and physical inspection.
During the search, officials detected concealed packets hidden inside the luggage. On opening the bags, they recovered 14 kilograms of hydroponic cannabis packed in multiple bundles. Customs officials said the contraband was carefully concealed to evade routine checks.
According to officials, hydroponic cannabis is a high-grade and expensive narcotic substance. They estimated the value of the seized material at nearly ₹14 crore in the international market. Officials said the seizure dealt a major blow to organised drug trafficking networks using air routes.
Hydroponic cannabis seizure follows targeted intelligence inputs
Customs officials said the operation followed specific intelligence inputs regarding drug smuggling through international flights. As a result, officers intensified surveillance at the arrivals terminal and conducted random inspections.
Following the seizure, officials took the two accused into custody for further questioning. Customs authorities said they were probing the source of the narcotics and possible links to international drug syndicates.
Officials said further investigation was underway to identify other persons involved in the smuggling attempt. They added that strict legal action would be initiated under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act.
