₹4.5 Crore Marijuana Seized at Delhi IGI Airport; Passenger Arrested
Delhi Customs officials intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok with over 12 kg of high-grade marijuana worth ₹4.5 crore at IGI Airport.
In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, Delhi Customs officials at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok, seizing a massive haul of suspected marijuana. The contraband, valued at approximately Rs 4.5 crore, was discovered hidden inside a trolley bag during a targeted inspection at Terminal-3.
Targeted Profiling Leads to Major Bust
The operation unfolded on Tuesday when customs officers, acting on intelligence and targeted profiling, flagged a passenger arriving on Air India flight AI-2335. Although the passenger attempted to pass through the Green Channel, suspicion led officials to divert him for a thorough examination.
Upon inspecting a metallic silver trolley bag belonging to the traveler, officers discovered a stash of illegal substances carefully concealed within the luggage. The search revealed:
- 13 polythene pouches containing suspected Ganja/Marijuana.
- A total net weight of 12,859.5 grams (approximately 12.85 kg).
- An estimated market value of Rs 4.5 crore.
Legal Action Under NDPS Act
The Delhi Customs (Airport & General) confirmed the arrest of the Indian national following the discovery. The authorities have initiated strict legal proceedings under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
The specifics of the legal action include:
- Arrest: The passenger has been arrested under Section 43(B) of the NDPS Act.
- Seizure: The contraband was seized under Section 43(A) of the same Act.
- Case Registration: A formal case has been booked under Sections 8, 20, 23, and 29 of the NDPS Act.
Customs officials are currently conducting further investigations to determine the origin of the drugs and the intended destination of the shipment, aiming to uncover any larger smuggling syndicate operating through the international terminal.