Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi, have arrested two Thai nationals after intercepting approximately 47.805 kg of suspected hydroponic weed (Ganja) valued at roughly ₹48 crore — one of the largest narcotics seizures at the airport in recent times, according to an official statement issued on Saturday, 23 May.

The two passengers had arrived on flight AI-2356 from Bangkok and were stopped immediately after crossing the Customs Green Channel, the lane designated for travellers carrying no dutiable or prohibited goods.

How the Seizure Unfolded

Acting on specific profiling inputs and suspicious travel indicators, Customs officers subjected the baggage of both passengers to a detailed examination. A thorough physical inspection led to the recovery of six vacuum-sealed packets suspected to contain hydroponic weed.

Of the total haul, four packets weighing approximately 29 kg were recovered from the first passenger's baggage, while two packets weighing around 19 kg were found in the second passenger's luggage. The combined net weight of the seized substance stands at 47.805 kg.

Scale of the Seizure

Officials described the consignment's estimated market value of ₹48 crore as placing it among the most significant narcotics interceptions at IGI Airport in recent memory. The substance has been seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and both individuals have been taken into custody for further questioning.

Notably, hydroponic weed — cultivated indoors under controlled conditions — commands a significantly higher street price than conventional cannabis, which explains the steep valuation despite the relatively contained weight.

Intelligence-Led Operation

Customs authorities confirmed that the interception was the result of targeted profiling and intelligence-based monitoring by officers deployed at the airport, rather than a routine check. The passengers were flagged before they could exit the terminal, underscoring the effectiveness of risk-based screening at international entry points.

This comes amid growing concern over Southeast Asian drug-trafficking routes, with Bangkok frequently cited by enforcement agencies as a transit hub for narcotics bound for South Asia.

Investigation Under Way

Authorities are now probing the source of the consignment, its intended destination within India, and whether the seizure is linked to a broader international trafficking syndicate operating through Southeast Asian corridors. Further forensic analysis of the seized substance is also being conducted to confirm its exact composition and grade.

With two arrests made and a multi-crore consignment off the streets, investigators are expected to pursue leads that could expose the wider supply chain behind this attempted smuggling.