Hydroponic Weed Worth Rs 74.5 Lakh Seized From Bangkok–Pune Air India Express Flight Lavatory
Viman Nagar, 5th March 2026: Officials from the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Pune Commissionerate seized 745 grams of hydroponic weed, an illegal form of marijuana, from a lavatory inside an aircraft that arrived at Pune International Airport from Bangkok on March 3.
According to officials, the contraband was discovered during inspection of Air India Express Flight IX-241, which had landed in Pune from Bangkok. During the search, officers recovered two yellow-coloured packets hidden inside the tissue cabinet of the aircraft lavatory.
Upon examination, the packets were found to contain eight vacuum-sealed pouches of hydroponic weed. The seized narcotic substance weighs 745 grams and has an estimated illicit market value of around ₹74.50 lakh.
The contraband has been seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Officials said no arrests have been made so far in connection with the case. Further investigation is underway to identify the individuals involved in the attempted smuggling.
