Was Hydroponic Ganja Worth Rs 14 Crore Seized at Hyderabad Airport?
Synopsis
A recent seizure at Hyderabad Airport has raised alarms as customs officials confiscated hydroponic ganja worth Rs 14 crore from travelers arriving from Qatar. The growing trend of smuggling high-grade cannabis into India is under scrutiny, highlighting the ongoing battle against drug trafficking. What measures will authorities take next?
Key Takeaways
Hydroponic ganja valued at Rs 14 crore seized.
Contraband discovered in the baggage of two travelers.
Authorities are investigating links to international drug syndicates .
Recent increase in attempts to smuggle cannabis into India.
Enhanced surveillance measures at airports are in place.
Hyderabad, Jan 9 (NationPress) - Customs officials at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) made a significant seizure of hydroponic ganja (cannabis) valued at approximately Rs 14 crore on Friday.
Authorities reported that the illegal substance was discovered in the baggage of two travelers arriving from Qatar.
The confiscated hydroponic ganja, which is cultivated without soil, has a market value estimated at about Rs 14 crore internationally.
Upon suspicion, customs agents detained the two passengers from Qatar, leading to a thorough scanning and physical examination of their luggage.
During the scanning process, officials uncovered packets of hydroponic ganja concealed within the bags. The total amount of the seized contraband weighed 14 kilograms.
The two individuals have been taken into custody, with investigations underway to identify the source and final destination of the drugs. Officials are also exploring potential connections to international drug trafficking networks.
This latest incident follows a similar seizure just two days prior, where customs officials found one kilogram of hydroponic ganja abandoned on a flight, reportedly left by a passenger worried about detection.
Hydroponic cannabis is recognized as a premium and costly narcotic. Authorities have noted a recent uptick in attempts to smuggle hydroponic ganja cultivated overseas into India.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and other enforcement agencies have intensified their monitoring efforts at international airports.
In July of the previous year, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized 400 kg of hydroponic ganja from a female passenger's luggage at the same airport.
The value of that contraband was assessed at around Rs 40 crore.
Based on intelligence inputs, NCB agents intercepted the woman and confiscated 400 kg of the narcotic from her checked baggage.
Investigations revealed that she had sourced the drugs from Bangkok and returned to India via Dubai to evade scrutiny, as there have been multiple cases of hydroponic ganja being discovered from passengers arriving directly from Bangkok to various Indian airports.
Point of View
I must emphasize the growing concern regarding drug trafficking in our country. The recent seizure of hydroponic ganja at Hyderabad Airport underscores the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and stricter enforcement measures at our borders. It is essential for authorities to stay ahead of these evolving smuggling tactics to protect our communities and uphold the rule of law.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was seized at Hyderabad Airport?
Customs authorities seized hydroponic ganja valued at Rs 14 crore.
How much contraband was found?
A total of 14 kilograms of hydroponic ganja was confiscated.
Where were the passengers arriving from?
The passengers arrived from Qatar.
What is hydroponic ganja?
Hydroponic ganja is cannabis cultivated without soil, known for being of high quality and expensive.
What is being done to combat drug smuggling?
Authorities, including the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, have intensified surveillance at international airports.
