Delhi Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport foiled a major narcotics smuggling attempt on Sunday, 8 June, recovering 15.38 kg of suspected hydroponic weed — commonly known as ganja — concealed inside two brand-new geysers. The contraband, hidden across 145 vacuum-sealed packets, carries an estimated illicit market value of approximately ₹5.38 crore, according to Customs authorities.

How the Seizure Unfolded

Acting on specific intelligence inputs and passenger profiling, Customs officers intercepted two passengers who had arrived from Kuala Lumpur aboard Flight D7-182 after they crossed the Green Channel at the airport. The passengers were found carrying the two geysers as part of their checked-in baggage, which initially drew scrutiny.

Sustained interrogation and examination of communications on the suspects' mobile phones deepened suspicions about the appliances. An X-ray scan of the geysers indicated the presence of concealed material within their internal structure, prompting officers to dismantle both units. The search revealed a highly sophisticated concealment mechanism housing the 145 vacuum-sealed packets of the suspected narcotic substance.

Legal Action and Investigation

The seized substance has been taken into custody under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Both passengers have been arrested, and further investigation is underway to establish the source of the consignment and identify its intended recipients, officials said.

Part of a Pattern at IGI Airport

This seizure is the second such drug bust at IGI Airport within days, pointing to a sustained smuggling route through the capital's main international gateway. On 4 June, Customs officials had intercepted 1.57 kg of suspected hydroponic weed valued at around ₹55 lakh from a passenger who had arrived from Bangkok on 1 June. In that case too, an X-ray scan of baggage flagged suspicious images, leading to the recovery of three vacuum-sealed packets of a green-coloured substance.

Notably, both cases involved passengers crossing the Green Channel — a route designated for travellers with nothing to declare — suggesting smugglers are deliberately attempting to exploit that pathway. The back-to-back busts indicate that Delhi Customs is operating heightened surveillance on South and Southeast Asian flight routes.

What Authorities Say

Customs officials confirmed that the total gross weight of the recovered substance in the latest case was 15.38 kg, and that the sophisticated nature of the concealment — inside functioning household appliances — reflects an escalation in smuggling methods. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to map the broader supply chain behind the consignment.