SOG seizes ₹6 cr worth of hybrid weed from Surat airport, 3 arrested including woman

The Special Operations Group (SOG) seized hybrid weed worth ₹6.18 crore from Surat International Airport and arrested three persons, including a woman, in a major drug bust.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Bhavesh Rojiya said the operation was carried out based on specific intelligence inputs.

“Our teams led by Inspectors J N Goswami and S N Parmar reached the airport after receiving information about a large consignment of hybrid weed. The operation was conducted in coordination with Dumas Police, CISF, DRI, and Air Intelligence Unit,” Rojiya said.

On Monday, an Air India flight from Bangkok landed at Surat International Airport at around 7.40 pm. Two passengers—Mohammad Iqbal Ahmed Khan (51) and Rasiya Abdul Kapoor (53)—were travelling on the flight. During routine checks, the SOG team became suspicious and interrogated them.

After interrogation, their luggage was thoroughly checked. Authorities found that the accused had placed additional bags inside the main luggage, creating multiple hidden compartments. They had used special paper and layered packing techniques to avoid detection. During the search, 17.65 kg of hybrid weed, valued at approximately ₹6.16 crore, was recovered from their bags.

How did the SOG get this information?

According to DCP Rojiya, the SOG received specific intelligence inputs regarding drug smuggling through the airport. Acting on this information, the team prepared a plan and reached the airport in advance. After monitoring passengers from the Bangkok flight, the suspects were identified and intercepted, leading to the seizure.

What was revealed in further investigation?

Further investigation revealed that both accused belong to Tamil Nadu.

Mohammad Iqbal Ahmed Khan is a resident of Chennai. Rasiya Abdul Kapoor, who hails from Vellore, was actively involved in the crime along with her associate.

The accused were travelling from Bangkok to Tamil Nadu to deliver the consignment to Tamim Ansari (42), also a resident of Tamil Nadu. Following the arrest of the two accused at the airport, police conducted further raids and arrested Tamim Ansari as well.

The investigation is ongoing, and police are probing possible links to a larger drug trafficking network.