Passenger arriving from Bangkok intercepted at IGI Airport while attempting onward travel to Colombo
New Delhi (Economy India): In a major anti-narcotics operation, Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi, have seized cannabis (ganja) worth over ₹10 crore and arrested one passenger, the department said on Saturday.
The seizure highlights growing concerns over the use of Indian airports as transit points in international drug trafficking networks, particularly involving Southeast Asian routes.
How the Smuggling Attempt Was Detected
According to Customs officials, the accused arrived in Delhi from Bangkok on December 31 and was scheduled to travel onward to Colombo the following day.
After clearing immigration, the passenger made an unusual request to the airline—asking for his already checked-in baggage to be offloaded. This abnormal behaviour raised suspicion among airport authorities, prompting Customs officials to intervene.
Upon examination of the baggage, officials discovered a large quantity of cannabis concealed inside, leading to the immediate detention of the passenger.
Value of the Seized Contraband
Preliminary assessment by the Customs department estimated the market value of the seized ganja at over ₹10 crore, based on prevailing international narcotics prices.
Officials said the consignment appeared to be intended for overseas distribution, indicating the involvement of an organised smuggling network rather than individual consumption.
Arrest and Legal Action
The passenger has been formally arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Customs authorities are now:
- Investigating the source of the contraband
- Examining possible links to international drug syndicates
- Coordinating with other enforcement agencies to identify backward and forward linkages
The accused is likely to be produced before a court and may face stringent penalties, including long-term imprisonment, given the high value and quantity of the narcotics seized.
Delhi Airport as a Transit Hub Under Scrutiny
Security agencies have noted an increase in attempts to use Indian airports as transit hubs for drug trafficking between Southeast Asia, South Asia, and other regions.
Routes involving Bangkok, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, and Middle Eastern destinations have been flagged as high-risk corridors for narcotics smuggling.
Customs officials said that risk profiling, passenger behaviour analysis, and intelligence-led checks played a key role in thwarting this attempt.
Customs’ Crackdown on Drug Smuggling
The seizure forms part of an intensified crackdown by Customs and other agencies on narcotics trafficking through air routes.
In recent months:
- Multiple drug seizures have been reported at major Indian airports
- Enforcement agencies have strengthened inter-agency coordination
- Advanced screening techniques and passenger profiling have been enhanced
Officials reiterated that any attempt to exploit Indian aviation infrastructure for illegal trafficking will be dealt with strictly.
Wider Implications
Drug trafficking poses serious challenges not only to law enforcement but also to public health and national security. Authorities say continued vigilance is essential as traffickers increasingly adopt innovative concealment methods and complex travel itineraries to evade detection.
The seizure of ganja worth over ₹10 crore at Delhi’s IGI Airport underscores the effectiveness of Customs surveillance while also highlighting the persistent threat posed by international drug trafficking networks.
Investigations are ongoing, and authorities expect further disclosures that could lead to additional arrests and dismantling of cross-border smuggling operations.
(Economy India)
