Bangkok-Pune Flight Passenger Held with 3.255 Kg of Weed Worth Rs 1.14 Crore
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Viman Nagar, 6th November 2026: Pune Customs officials have seized 3.255 kg of hydroponic weed, also known as marijuana or ganja, valued at approximately Rs 1.14 crore, from an Indian woman passenger arriving from Bangkok at Pune International Airport. The passenger has been arrested, and further investigation is underway.
According to a press release issued by Pune Customs, officers of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) and Airport Batch intercepted the passenger on the evening of November 5, 2026, after profiling her travel details and detecting suspicious contents during the scanning of her checked-in baggage.
The passenger was travelling on Air India Express flight IX-291 from Bangkok to Pune. During a detailed examination of her luggage, conducted following the prescribed procedures under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, officials discovered specially fabricated cavities concealed behind the inner lining on both sides of her trolley bag.
A search of these cavities led to the recovery of two rectangular, slab-shaped packets wrapped in three layers of vacuum-sealed black plastic. The packets contained an orangish-green dried floral substance with a strong pungent odour.
The substance was tested using a Narcotic Drug Field Testing Kit, which indicated the presence of marijuana/ganja (hydroponic weed).
Pune Customs seized the entire consignment weighing 3.255 kg under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. The estimated market value of the seized contraband is Rs 1.14 crore.
The passenger has been arrested in connection with the case, and Customs officials are conducting further investigation to establish the source of the contraband and identify any other persons involved in the alleged smuggling operation.
