Ahmedabad Customs arrest woman with ₹95 lakh worth of marijuana concealed in chocolate packets

Officers of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Ahmedabad Customs have arrested a woman passenger and seized nearly one kilogram of hydroponic marijuana concealed inside food and chocolate packets from her baggage at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

The seizure was made on February 2 after Customs officers intercepted the passenger, who had arrived from Bangkok on Vietjet Air flight VZ-570, based on specific intelligence inputs. The interception took place during routine surveillance of international arrivals, officials said.

During a detailed examination of the passenger’s baggage, Customs officers found green-coloured substances concealed inside nine packets of food and chocolates packed in her travel bag. Preliminary testing of the substance using field test kits confirmed it to be 'ganja'.

Officials said the contraband was identified as hydroponic marijuana, a high-grade variant of cannabis cultivated using controlled indoor techniques. The total weight of the seized substance was found to be 948 grams, worth ₹94.8 lakh

The recovered narcotics were seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The passenger was placed under arrest, and further legal action has been initiated.

Officials said the method of concealment, hiding narcotics within commercially packaged food items, points to evolving smuggling techniques aimed at evading detection during baggage screening.

“The matter is under further investigation to ascertain the source of the contraband, the intended recipients, and whether the accused is part of a larger drug trafficking network operating across international routes,” a customs official said.

Authorities added that the seized material has been sent for detailed forensic analysis, while the passenger is being questioned to trace possible links with organised drug syndicates.