New Delhi, Jul 18 (PTI) Customs officers at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport have seized a total of 30.52 kg of suspected hydroponic weed in two separate smuggling cases involving passengers arriving from Bangkok, arresting three persons, including two alleged receivers who were caught in a follow-up operation, officials said on Saturday.
Hydroponic weed is a high-potency variety of cannabis grown in nutrient-rich water instead of soil.
In the first case, a passenger arriving from Bangkok on July 18 was intercepted after crossing the customs green channel on the basis of advance passenger information system (APIS) profiling.
X-ray screening of the passenger’s baggage revealed suspicious images, and a subsequent examination led to the recovery of 9.760 kg of hydroponic weed (ganja), an official statement said.
During sustained questioning, the passenger allegedly disclosed that two individuals were waiting outside the airport terminal to receive the consignment, the statement said.
Acting on the information, Customs officers mounted a follow-up operation and apprehended both alleged receivers.
According to the statement, the passenger was arrested under Section 43(b) of the NDPS Act, 1985, while the suspected ganja, along with the concealing material and packaging, was seized under Section 43(a) of the Act.
In the second case, another passenger arriving from Bangkok on July 18 was intercepted after crossing the customs green channel, also on the basis of APIS profiling.
After suspicious images were noticed during X-ray screening of the passenger’s baggage, Customs officers conducted a detailed examination and recovered 20.760 kg of hydroponic weed (ganja), another official statement said.
According to the statement, the passenger was arrested under Section 43(b) of the NDPS Act, 1985. The suspected ganja, along with the concealing material and packaging, was seized under Section 43(a) of the Act. PTI MHS NB NB
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