Passenger from Phuket held at Delhi airport with hydroponic weed

Delhi Customs arrested a passenger at IGI Airport who arrived from Phuket, seizing 2,759 grams of hydroponic weed. The arrest followed profiling and an X-ray scan. In a separate case, the DRI seized 4 kg of gold and arrested two at the same airport.

Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi have arrested a passenger on Sunday and seized 2,759 grams of suspected hydroponic weed, a form of cannabis.

According to officials, the passenger, who arrived in Delhi from Phuket on Air India on Sunday, was intercepted after crossing the Customs Green Channel based on passenger profiling through the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS).

During X-ray screening of the passenger's baggage, customs officials noticed suspicious images. A subsequent search led to the recovery of four vacuum-sealed packets containing a green-coloured substance suspected to be hydroponic weed (ganja).

The seized substance weighed 2,759 grams, including the packing material.

In a post on X, Delhi Customs said, "Accordingly, the passenger has been placed under arrest under section 43(b) of NDPS Act, 1985, green colour substance suspected to be ganja/marijuana has been seized along with concealing material and packaging under section 43(a) of NDPS act, 1985."

Customs, IGI Airport Date: 02.08.2026 Operation: AIU, IGI Airport, New Delhi Seizure: 2759 grams Hydroponic weed (Ganja) The customs officers of IGI airport, New Delhi, have booked a case of smuggling green colour NDPS substance suspected ganja/marijuana. On the basis of APIS… pic.twitter.com/cmJZsnoXG2 — Delhi Customs (Airport & General) (@AirportGenCus) August 2, 2026

Further investigation into the matter is underway.

DRI's Nationwide Crackdown on Smuggling

In a separate case, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has carried out a series of intelligence-led operations across the country during the week, resulting in the seizure of foreign-origin gold, heroin, MDMA, hydroponic weed, red sanders, prohibited wildlife products, e-cigarettes, foreign-origin poppy seeds and areca nuts, the Ministry of Finance said.

These operations led to the arrest of 20 persons, including 5 foreign nationals, involved in smuggling and trafficking activities and exposed sophisticated concealment techniques employed by organised criminal syndicates.

4 kg Gold Seized at Delhi Airport

On July 29, 2026, in a significant operation at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, officers of DRI intercepted two foreign nationals who had arrived from Dubai.

Examination of the passenger trolley revealed a specially created secret cavity fabricated using a steel sheet matching the dimensions of the trolley and secured with double-sided adhesive tapes. The cavity yielded 40 foreign-origin gold bars weighing 4 kg. The gold was seized, and both passengers were arrested. (ANI)

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