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Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Indian Express
Smuggling bids foiled Narcotics, exotic wildlife, gold worth over Rs 11 cr seized in a day at Mumbai airport
Multiple smuggling attempts were thwarted and four persons were arrested at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport on Saturday by Mumbai Customs officials, who also seized items worth over Rs 11 crore that included nearly 10 kilograms of hydroponic marijuana, exotic wildlife species and gold. According to Customs officials, they acted on specific intelligence and intercepted an Indian national who arrived from Bangkok. A thorough examination of the passenger's checked-in baggage revealed 9.662 kilograms of hydroponic marijuana, a high-grade variant of cannabis, with an estimated value of Rs 9.662 crore in the illicit market. The passenger was arrested under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. In another incident, a passenger from Bangkok was arrested for carrying several exotic and non-native species — both alive and deceased — concealed in his bag. The recovery included raccoons (Procyon Lotor) one alive, 3 dead; black fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) 3 dead, and green iguanas 29 alive, 8 dead. The live animals were handed over to airline staff for deportation to their country of origin. Legal proceedings were initiated against the arrested passenger under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Customs Act, 1962. In other two separate cases, two passengers from Dubai were found smuggling 24 KT gold in dust form hidden in wax and as small gold pieces weighing a total of 1.650 kg and valued at Rs 1.49 crore. The gold was hidden in their body cavities and inner pockets. Both were arrested under the Customs Act, 1962.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Time of India
In separate instances, two employees at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International airport arrested for smuggling gold worth Rs 4.2 crore
Mumbai: Customs arrested two airport employees including the manager of a food court at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International airport Mumbai for smuggling around 5 kg of gold dust worth Rs 4.24 crore, in separate incidents. In the first incident the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs intercepted Mohammed Amir Doctor, a staffer of AI Airport Services Limited (AIASL) near the family washroom in front of the Immigration counter at the departure hall. As he was suspiciously moving the AIU officials detained and carried a search, resulting in recovery of 4 capsules purported to be gold dust. On interrogations, Doctor told officials that a transit passenger handed him over this contraband. Similarly another airport staffer (CDP employee) identified as Kushilal Yadav was also found loitering near the washroom at the immigration counter. The officials detained him and carried out a search resulting in recovery of 3,067 grams of gold dust worth Rs 1.39 crores. Customs officials placed both of them under arrest under Customs Act and intimated the airport authorities.
News18
04-06-2025
- General
- News18
Mumbai Airport's Customs Team Arrests 3, Seizes 8.6Kg Hydroponic Weed Worth Over Rs 8 Crore
Last Updated: Hydroponic weed is an advanced form of cannabis grown in controlled environments using nutrient-rich water instead of soil In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, the customs department at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport, Mumbai, seized approximately 8.6 kilograms of high-grade hydroponic weed, also known as hydroponic marijuana, valued at Rs 8.6 crore in the illicit market. The operation, carried out on June 2 and 3, led to the arrest of three Indian nationals who had arrived from Bangkok. The action was taken by officers of Mumbai Customs Zone III who were working on specific intelligence inputs regarding drug smuggling through air routes. Two passengers landed on June 3 by Thai flight SL218, while the third arrived earlier by flight VZ760, all from Bangkok. Acting on suspicion, customs officials intercepted the individuals shortly after they landed at the airport. Upon preliminary questioning, all three passengers displayed signs of nervousness and discomfort, raising red flags for the team. A thorough examination of their baggage led to the discovery of carefully concealed hydroponic weed—an advanced form of cannabis grown in controlled environments using nutrient-rich water instead of soil. This type of marijuana is known for its potency and high street value. The entire consignment, weighing 8.6 kg in total, has been seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. All three individuals have been arrested and further investigation is currently underway to determine the broader network behind this smuggling attempt. The seizure underscores the growing trend of synthetic and high-potency drug smuggling through air routes, especially from Southeast Asian hubs like Bangkok. The successful operation not only prevented a large quantity of narcotics from reaching the streets but also highlights the increasing use of airports like Mumbai for smuggling hydroponic marijuana. As international drug syndicates adapt with newer smuggling techniques, Indian enforcement agencies are stepping up efforts with sharper intelligence and advanced surveillance tools. First Published: June 04, 2025, 10:35 IST
Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Indian Express
Customs officials arrest 3 men, 2 women at Mumbai airport for smuggling weed worth Rs 30 crore from Bangkok
Customs department officials arrested three men and two women at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International airport in Mumbai in the past couple of days while they were trying to allegedly smuggle hydroponic weed worth around Rs 30 crore from Bangkok. All are residents of Mumbai and travelling on different flights. Sources in the customs department said that based on reliable inputs, Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officials nabbed Saat Rasta area resident Laxman Mhadik and Nalasopara resident Harsha Chheda and seized hydroponic weed from them on Wednesday. A total of 11,808 gram of weed worth Rs 11.8 crore was seized from Mhadik and Chheda. In the second case, AIU officials intercepted Byculla residents Noor Bilakhia and Afrin Bilakhia during passenger profiling. They were found concealing nearly 12 kilogram of hydroponic weed worth around Rs 12 crore in their trolley bag. Customs officials also caught Trombay resident Mohammed Shaikh. Examination of Shaikh's luggage led to the seizure of hydroponic weed worth Rs 5.90 crore. The inquiry of suspects revealed that they were aware of the smuggling of narcotics and were offered hefty commissions by their handlers. Customs officials are trying to extract information on their handlers and also about the local contacts in Mumbai who were supposed to accept the deliveries of the smuggled contraband from them, a customs source said. The arrested suspects face serious charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, as commercial quantities of drugs have been seized from them. As per the Customs department, 1,000 gram of cannabis (weed) is specified as a small quantity, and any amount above it is considered a commercial quantity. If proven guilty, they may attract 20 years of imprisonment, said another customs source. Hydroponic weed refers to cannabis grown without the use of soil.
