Pune Airport: Passenger from Bangkok Arrested with Hydroponic Marijuana Worth Rs 33.6 Lakh
Pune, 4th April 2026: Officers of the Air Intelligence Unit at Pune International Airport have seized hydroponic marijuana worth approximately Rs 33.60 lakh from a passenger arriving from Bangkok and arrested him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
According to officials from the Air Intelligence Unit under the Pune Commissionerate (Pune Zone), the operation was carried out on April 3 based on passenger profiling.
The passenger had arrived at Pune International Airport on Air India Express flight IX-241 from Bangkok. During inspection, officers intercepted him and conducted a search of his hand baggage.
Officials said the search led to the recovery of hydroponic weed (marijuana) concealed inside two transparent vacuum-sealed packets. The packets were wrapped with carbon paper from the inside in an attempt to evade detection.
A total of 960 grams of hydroponic marijuana was seized during the operation. The contraband has an estimated illicit market value of about Rs 33.60 lakh.
The passenger was subsequently arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. Authorities have launched further investigation to determine the source of the contraband and whether the accused was part of a larger trafficking network.
Officials said more details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
