Six Indians caught at IGI Airport with marijuana worth Rs 48 crore! How did they try to smuggle 48 kg of drugs from Bangkok, and what happens next in this massive narcotics bust? Find out the shocking details.
6 Indians held with marijuana worth ₹48 crore
New Delhi: The Customs Department at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport arrested six Indian nationals on Thursday for allegedly attempting to smuggle marijuana worth approximately ₹48 crore. The seizure took place at Terminal 3, where the men were intercepted at the Green Channel after arriving from Bangkok.
Officials revealed that a detailed inspection of the travellers' luggage led to the discovery of 24 polythene pouches hidden inside four trolley bags. The pouches contained a green-coloured substance suspected to be ganja or marijuana, with a net weight of 48.02 kilograms. Preliminary testing confirmed the narcotic as marijuana, with an estimated market value of ₹48.01 crore.
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All six men have been booked under sections 20, 23, and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Additionally, arrests were made under Section 43(b) of the Act, while the suspected narcotic and the concealment materials were seized under Section 43(a). Customs authorities confirmed that further investigation is ongoing to trace the source and network behind this smuggling attempt.
This case marks another instance of the IGI Airport’s stringent customs enforcement, reflecting enhanced vigilance against cross-border narcotics trafficking. Officials emphasized that such large-scale smuggling attempts are increasingly sophisticated, with traffickers often using international travel routes to transport contraband.
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The Customs Department is working closely with other enforcement agencies to identify the suppliers and distribution network linked to this seizure. The arrested individuals remain in custody, and authorities are examining flight records and communication data to track accomplices involved in the smuggling operation.
The IGI Airport, being one of the busiest international hubs in India, continues to strengthen its security and detection mechanisms to prevent illegal drug trafficking, sending a strong message to traffickers attempting to exploit air travel.
