Overview
- Mumbai Customs seized 19.65 kg of suspected hydroponic cannabis at CSMIA on August 26–27 from passengers arriving from Bangkok and Phuket, arresting four under the NDPS Act.
- At Lucknow airport, the DRI intercepted two passengers from Bangkok and recovered 23.935 kg of hydroponic cannabis, valued at about ₹24 crore, with both accused remanded to judicial custody.
- Officers said the contraband in the Mumbai cases was concealed in checked-in trolley bags, with interceptions based on spot profiling and specific intelligence.
- Enforcement data highlight a broader pattern at Lucknow airport, where five major busts in six months have netted over 44 kg of narcotics worth more than ₹55 crore, pointing to increased use of mid-tier airports.
- Authorities report ongoing investigations to identify suppliers, handlers and recipients, and are seeking cooperation with Thailand and the UAE to map the transnational network.