Delhi Customs Seizes 148.67 Kg Hydroponic Weed at IGI Airport, One Arrested
Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi have seized 148.67 kg of hydroponic weed from an air cargo shipment that arrived from Bangkok, exposing what authorities described as a major international drug-smuggling attempt. The narcotics, concealed inside polyurethane tubes and plastic spools, have an estimated street value of ₹150 crore in India.
The seizure was made by officers of the Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch (SIIB), Air Cargo Complex Imports, New Customs House, New Delhi, after they developed local intelligence about a suspicious consignment. Acting on that input, customs officers placed the shipment on hold after noticing discrepancies in the declared contents.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the cargo had been declared as polyurethane (PU) tubes and was packed in 19 cartons. A detailed examination, carried out in the presence of the importer’s representative, initially revealed plastic spools containing PU tubes. On breaking open the spools, however, officers found hidden cavities packed with small bundles of compacted green-coloured material wrapped in polythene.
The concealed packets were found in 15 of the 19 cartons. Preliminary diagnostic tests identified the substance as ganja or marijuana. A later count showed that 120 plastic spools had been used to hide the contraband.
Officials said the total quantity recovered was 148.67 kg of hydroponic weed. While customs estimated the value of the seized narcotics at about ₹52 crore, the street value in the Indian market was assessed at around ₹150 crore.
The drugs, along with the concealment and packaging material, have been seized under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The operation lasted more than 72 hours and led to the arrest of one individual on October 15, 2026. The accused was produced before a magistrate the same day.
After the seizure, customs teams searched five premises across three states. Officials said those searches yielded important leads that could help investigators identify others linked to the suspected international trafficking network.
The entire operation was monitored by senior customs officials, including officers at the level of Chief Commissioner and Principal Commissioner, ACC Imports, and supervised by the Additional Commissioner of Customs, ACC Imports.
Officials said the seizure reflects the increasingly sophisticated concealment methods used by smugglers seeking to move narcotics across international borders, driven by the large profits available in the illegal drug trade.
Further investigation is underway to trace the full network behind the consignment, identify the masterminds, and determine the intended recipients of the seized contraband.
