Hydroponic marijuana worth ₹2 cr seized at Ahmedabad airport, passenger arrested

In a significant drug bust, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA), Ahmedabad, arrested an Indian national for attempting to smuggle hydroponic marijuana into the country. The seizure was made on the basis of specific intelligence received from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

According to officials, the passenger had arrived from Bangkok on Thai Airways flight TG343. Upon thorough examination of his baggage — a trolley suitcase — AIU officers discovered two airtight packets containing a greenish, lumpy substance ingeniously concealed within the bag’s lining.

Preliminary field testing confirmed the substance to be marijuana (cannabis), specifically of the hydroponic variety, which is known to be cultivated using high-tech indoor systems and typically commands a higher street value of ₹2.09 crore. The total weight of the recovered contraband was 2.094 kilograms.

The drugs were seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The passenger was placed under arrest, produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, and has since been remanded to judicial custody at Sabarmati Central Jail.

Officials said further investigation is underway to identify any possible linkages to international drug syndicates or domestic distribution networks.