In a significant crackdown, customs officials at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) thwarted a major narcotics smuggling operation on Thursday night. The authorities confiscated a substantial 12.95 kilograms of high-grade hydroponic ganja, with an estimated street value of a staggering ₹12.95 crore.
Intelligence-Led Interception at the Airport
The successful operation was spearheaded by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the customs department. Acting on precise tip-offs, the team kept a close watch on a specific passenger. The suspect had arrived in Hyderabad on an AirAsia flight (FD118) from Bangkok, which touched down at 11:12 PM on January 8.
Upon intercepting the man, officials conducted a thorough search of his checked-in luggage. Their vigilance paid off when they discovered 13 vacuum-sealed packages cleverly hidden beneath a false base in his suitcase. Preliminary field tests confirmed the substance to be premium, hydroponically cultivated cannabis, known for its high potency and significant market value.
Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
The apprehended passenger, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, was immediately taken into custody. Following his arrest, a local court sent him to judicial custody on Friday.
Investigators are now delving deep into the case to unravel the network behind this smuggling bid. They are meticulously analysing the accused's call records and travel history to identify potential accomplices and trace the sources of funding for the illicit operation. This probe aims to dismantle the entire chain involved in the international drug trade.
A Pattern of Vigilance at RGIA
Hyderabad Customs Commissioner, C Shashidhar Rao, commended the AIU team for their exemplary work. He highlighted that enhanced passenger profiling and stepped-up surveillance measures at the airport have led to multiple substantial seizures in recent months.
This incident is not an isolated one. Notably, on November 11, 2025, customs officials at the same airport had intercepted 4.3 kilograms of hydroponic weed, valued at approximately ₹4 crore, from another passenger arriving from Bangkok. In a separate case on that very same day, authorities confiscated high-end electronic goods, including 65 iPhones, 20 Apple Watches, and eight drones, worth about ₹71.7 lakh, from two passengers coming from Abu Dhabi.
These consecutive seizures underscore the relentless efforts of Hyderabad customs to secure the international border and prevent the smuggling of contraband, be it narcotics or high-value electronics, through the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.
