In a significant narcotics interception, officials at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport apprehended an Indian national arriving from Bangkok and confiscated a substantial quantity of high-grade hydroponic cannabis on Thursday.
Intelligence-Led Operation at SVPI Airport
The successful operation was initiated based on specific intelligence provided by the Ahmedabad unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Acting swiftly on the tip-off, customs officials identified and intercepted the passenger upon arrival.
A thorough and systematic search of the individual's check-in baggage led to the discovery of six vacuum-sealed polythene packets, cleverly hidden among clothing items. Upon opening the packets, officials found a greenish, lumpy substance emitting a sharp and pungent smell, immediately raising suspicion.
High-Value Contraband Confirmed
The material was subjected to field testing, which confirmed it to be cannabis. Authorities identified it as a specialized hydroponic variety of weed, known for its significantly higher potency compared to conventional cannabis and, consequently, its greater demand in the illicit market.
The total weight of the seized contraband was 7.7 kilograms. Preliminary estimates by officials place its street value at a staggering Rs 8 crore (approximately 80 million rupees). Following the confirmation, the passenger was immediately placed under arrest.
Legal Action and Wider Crackdown
The accused has been booked under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. This seizure marks the latest in a series of similar successful operations conducted by various central and state agencies in the Gujarat region, particularly in Ahmedabad and Surat, over the past few months.
The incident underscores the heightened vigilance and coordinated efforts of Indian enforcement agencies like the DRI and Customs to curb the smuggling of sophisticated narcotics into the country through international air routes.
