Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport have seized nearly 48 kilograms of suspected hydroponic weed valued at around Rs 48 crore from two Thailand nationals arriving from Bangkok, marking one of the biggest narcotics seizures at the airport in recent times.

According to customs authorities, the two passengers arrived in Delhi on Air India flight AI-2356 from Bangkok on May 22 and were intercepted after crossing the Customs Green Channel based on specific profiling inputs and suspicious travel indicators.

Officials said the passengers’ baggage was subjected to detailed examination after customs officers noticed irregularities during screening and behavioural assessment procedures.

During the inspection, officers recovered six vacuum-sealed packets suspected to contain hydroponic weed, commonly referred to as high-grade ganja. Four packets weighing approximately 29 kilograms were recovered from the baggage of one passenger, while two packets weighing nearly 19 kilograms were recovered from the second passenger.

The total quantity of the suspected narcotic substance seized in the operation was approximately 47.805 kilograms net weight.

Customs officials estimated the international market value of the recovered contraband at nearly Rs 48 crore. Authorities described the seizure as one of the highest-value drug recoveries at Delhi airport in recent years.

Hydroponic weed is considered a premium-grade cannabis product cultivated using controlled indoor techniques and advanced hydroponic systems. Due to its high potency and elevated black-market demand, such narcotics often command extremely high prices in international trafficking networks.

Officials familiar with the investigation said the narcotics were concealed in a sophisticated manner inside passenger baggage and packed in vacuum-sealed layers to evade detection during transit and screening procedures.

The interception was reportedly carried out through a combination of passenger profiling, intelligence-based surveillance and detailed baggage examination. Customs authorities said both passengers are being questioned and further investigation is underway to determine possible international trafficking links and the intended recipients of the narcotics consignment in India.

Investigators are also examining whether the seizure is connected to larger organised drug syndicates operating across Southeast Asia and South Asia. Bangkok has frequently emerged as a transit route in several international narcotics smuggling investigations handled by Indian enforcement agencies in recent years.

Under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, possession and trafficking of commercial quantities of narcotic substances attract stringent penalties, including long-term imprisonment.

The latest seizure comes amid intensified anti-smuggling operations by customs and narcotics agencies at major Indian airports, particularly against synthetic drugs, hydroponic cannabis and high-value psychotropic substances entering through international routes.

Officials said forensic examination of the seized material is being conducted to confirm its exact composition and purity level.

Further investigation into the case remains in progress.

Customs | Business Upturn

Nearly 48 kg suspected hydroponic weed seized at IGI in one of biggest recent drug busts