New Delhi, June 8: In a major anti-narcotics operation, Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport have foiled an attempt to smuggle 15.38 kilograms of Hydroponic Weed (Ganja) into India, seizing contraband worth an estimated ₹5.38 crore concealed inside two brand-new geysers.
The operation was carried out by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Delhi Customs following specific intelligence inputs and passenger profiling.
According to Customs officials, two passengers arriving from Kuala Lumpur on Flight D7-182 on June 7 were intercepted after crossing the Green Channel. During surveillance, officers noticed that the passengers were carrying two unused geysers in addition to their regular baggage, raising suspicion.
Mobile Phone Analysis Triggered Detailed Inspection
Officials said sustained questioning of the passengers, coupled with scrutiny of communications found on their mobile phones, strengthened suspicions regarding the contents of the appliances.
The geysers were subsequently subjected to X-ray screening, which revealed anomalies suggesting the presence of concealed material within the units.
145 Vacuum-Sealed Drug Packets Hidden Inside Geysers
Upon dismantling the geysers, Customs officers uncovered a sophisticated concealment mechanism. A total of 145 vacuum-sealed packets were recovered from inside the appliances.
Preliminary examination confirmed the packets contained a green leafy substance suspected to be Hydroponic Weed, a high-potency form of cannabis that commands premium prices in the illegal drug market.
Contraband Worth ₹5.38 Crore Seized
The recovered narcotic substance weighed 15.38 kilograms, with Customs estimating its illegal market value at approximately ₹5.38 crore.
The narcotics have been seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Two Arrested, Probe Continues
Both passengers have been arrested, and investigators are now probing the source of the consignment, possible international links, and the intended recipients within India.
Officials said further investigation is underway to identify the wider network behind the smuggling attempt and determine whether similar consignments have entered the country through other routes.
The seizure marks one of the significant Hydroponic Weed recoveries made at IGI Airport this year and highlights the increasingly sophisticated methods being used by international drug trafficking syndicates to evade detection.
