Delhi Customs officials foiled an alleged attempt to smuggle drugs, suspected to be aquatic weed, worth around $1,000. $5.38 lakh crore into the country at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). The substance was hidden inside two new hot springs carried by passengers coming from Malaysia.
The seizure was made by the Air Force Intelligence Unit (AIU) at Delhi airport on June 7, according to a statement issued by Customs. Two passengers who arrived from Kuala Lumpur on AirAsia
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How did officials discover the drugs?
According to a Delhi Customs statement, the two passengers were intercepted after crossing the green channel at the airport.
Customs officials said the operation was based on passenger data and specific intelligence inputs. During surveillance, officers discovered that passengers were carrying two new geysers other than their checked luggage. The unusual luggage aroused suspicions.
Officials then took the suspects for questioning and checked their cell phones. This reinforced doubts about the contents of the devices.
Strong suspicion after questioning led to a more focused X-ray examination of the heaters. X-rays found possible hidden materials hidden inside the heaters.
145 sealed packages were found
After the X-ray results, customs officials dismantled the heaters and discovered the material.
A total of 145 sealed packages were found inside the devices.
The packets contain a green leafy substance suspected to be aquatic ganja, also referred to as aquatic ganja. It turns out that the total gross weight of the material is 15.38 kg.
Officials estimated the market value of the seized goods at about $5.38 Crores.
What are aquatic weeds?
Hydroponic weeds are a highly effective variety of cannabis grown using nutrient-rich water solutions instead of soil. Because of its potency and higher market value compared to traditional cannabis, it has been increasingly found in drug seizures involving passengers arriving at Indian airports.
However, authorities described the seized substance as “suspected aquatic weed,” as forensic examination is generally required to determine the exact nature of the substance.
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Two passengers arrested. The investigation is ongoing
The recovered item was seized under the NDPS Act, 1985, and Delhi Customs confirmed that both passengers have been arrested.
Further investigations are underway to find the source and destination. The seizure highlights the increasingly sophisticated methods used by smugglers.
