Customs officers at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi have intercepted a major narcotics consignment that was reportedly hidden inside an air cargo shipment from Bangkok, Thailand. Officials said the recovery amounted to 148.67 kg of hydroponic weed and carried an estimated street value of ₹150 crore in India.
The seizure was carried out by officers of the Special Intelligence and Investigation Branch (SIIB), Air Cargo Complex Imports, New Customs House, New Delhi, after locally developed intelligence pointed to a suspicious consignment.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the cargo had been declared as polyurethane (PU) tubes and arrived in 19 cartons. Customs officers placed the shipment on hold after suspecting that the contents had been misdeclared.
A detailed check was then conducted in the presence of the importer’s representative. Officers first found plastic spools containing PU tubes, but when those spools were broken open, they discovered concealed cavities packed with compacted green-coloured material wrapped in polythene.
The suspicious packets were recovered from 15 of the 19 cartons. Preliminary diagnostic tests indicated that the material was ganja or marijuana.
Investigators later found that 120 plastic spools had been used to hide the contraband. Customs authorities said the total quantity recovered was 148.67 kg of hydroponic weed.
Officials estimated the value of the seized narcotics at about ₹52 crore, while the potential street value in the Indian market was placed at around ₹150 crore.
The drugs, along with the concealment and packaging material, have been seized under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The action followed an operation that lasted more than 72 hours.
The case also led to the arrest of one individual on October 15, 2026. The accused was produced before a magistrate on the same day.
Following the seizure, customs teams searched five premises across three states. Officials said the searches produced important leads that may help identify others linked to the suspected international drug trafficking network.
The operation was closely monitored by senior Customs officials, including officers at the level of Chief Commissioner and Principal Commissioner, ACC Imports, and supervised by the Additional Commissioner of Customs, ACC Imports.
Officials said the case reflects how smugglers continue to use more complex concealment methods, taking advantage of the large profits associated with narcotics trafficking to move illegal substances across borders.
Further investigation is underway to establish the full scale of the smuggling attempt, identify the masterminds and determine the intended recipients of the seized contraband.
