Customs authorities at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad seized hydroponic ganja (cannabis) valued at approximately Rs 14 crore on Friday. The contraband was discovered in the luggage of two passengers arriving from Qatar. Hydroponic ganja, which is cultivated without soil, commands a high price in the international market.
Customs officers intercepted the two passengers on suspicion, prompting a detailed scan and physical inspection of their baggage. During this process, officials found packets of hydroponic ganja concealed within their luggage, totaling 14 kilograms in weight. The passengers have been taken into custody for questioning, as authorities aim to determine the source of the drugs and their intended destination. Investigations are also looking into possible connections to international drug syndicates.
This latest seizure follows another incident just two days earlier, when customs officials confiscated one kilogram of hydroponic ganja from a flight. In that case, a passenger reportedly left the drugs behind on their seat, fearing detection during inspections.
Hydroponic cannabis is considered a high-grade and expensive narcotic. Officials have noted a recent surge in smuggling attempts aimed at bringing hydroponic ganja grown abroad into India. In response, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and other agencies have intensified surveillance efforts at international airports.
In July of the previous year, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized 400 kilograms of hydroponic ganja from a female passenger’s luggage at RGIA, with an estimated value of Rs 40 crore. Acting on intelligence reports, NCB officials intercepted the woman and discovered the significant quantity concealed in her two check-in bags. The investigation revealed she had obtained the drugs from Bangkok and returned to India via Dubai to evade suspicion. This strategy arises from numerous incidents where hydroponic ganja has been found in the luggage of travelers arriving directly from Bangkok to various Indian airports.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/national/hydroponic-ganja-worth-rs-14-crore-seized-at-hyderabad-airport-1603941
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Publish Date: 2026-01-09 14:07:00
