Gaya Airport Seizes Rs 25 Crore Hydroponic Marijuana in Major Drug Bust
In a significant narcotics operation, customs officials at Gaya International Airport in Bihar intercepted approximately 25 kilograms of hydroponic marijuana on Monday. The contraband, with an estimated street value of around Rs 25 crore, represents one of the largest drug hauls in the state's recent history.
Flight FD 122 and Arrest of Five Carriers
The illicit consignment arrived aboard Thai AirAsia flight FD 122, which had originated from Bangkok. Following a meticulous X-ray screening, authorities detected the narcotics, which had been cleverly concealed within multi-layered toy packets. This deceptive packaging failed to evade the vigilance of the customs team.
Subsequently, five individuals were taken into custody on charges of smuggling. All arrested persons are Indian nationals, comprising three men and two women. The detainees have been identified as:
- Ashwini Kumar Dwivedi from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
- Gulshan Meena from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
- Gaurav Bidhudi from Bulandshahar, Uttar Pradesh
- Manprit Kaur from Bathinda district, Punjab
- Dilprit Kaur from Ludhiana district, Punjab
Second Hydroponic Marijuana Seizure at Gaya Airport
This incident marks the second recovery of hydroponic marijuana at Gaya International Airport within recent months. Approximately a year ago, authorities had confiscated more than 8 kilograms of the same banned substance from a Thai national at the same facility.
Hydroponic marijuana is particularly concerning because it is not cultivated within India. Experts emphasize that due to its controlled cultivation techniques, this variety is considered more potent and toxic compared to other forms of marijuana.
Gaya-Bangkok Route: A Smuggling Hotspot
Gaya International Airport currently operates flights to three international destinations: Paro in Bhutan, Yangon in Myanmar, and Bangkok in Thailand. Among these, the Gaya-Bangkok sector has emerged as the most popular route and, unfortunately, a frequent corridor for smuggling activities.
Officials note that most cases involving narcotics and gold smuggling have been reported on this particular route. In 2023 alone, customs authorities seized about 12 kilograms of gold that was being smuggled from Bangkok through Gaya Airport.
Investigation and Official Concerns
The substantial recovery has raised significant concerns within official circles. Customs Superintendent Sanjay Kumar maintained a reserved stance regarding potential associates or gang members linked to the arrested smugglers, as well as the intended end-users of the narcotics.
While Punjab has gained notoriety for drug abuse issues, and both female suspects hail from that state, officials suggest that drug abuse in Bihar may also be increasing. Some attribute this trend to the fallout from the state government's prohibition policy.
According to investigative sources, travel records and contact lists of the narcotics carriers are currently under thorough examination as part of the ongoing probe. Authorities are working to unravel the broader network behind this smuggling attempt.
The seizure underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating sophisticated drug trafficking operations, particularly through international air routes.
