Bengaluru: Customs officers recently seized 26.2kg of high-value hydroponic ganja from passengers arriving from Bangkok at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) Terminal 2. The contraband, concealed in checked-in baggage across multiple interceptions, is estimated to be worth Rs 9.1 crore in the illicit market.According to officials, the seizures were made through targeted operations based on risk profiling and passenger surveillance. In the largest haul, two passengers were intercepted with 17.9kg of hydroponic ganja valued at Rs 6.3 crore. In three other cases, individual passengers were found carrying 4.9kg (Rs 1.7crore), 1.8kg (Rs 63.7 lakh), and 1.5kg (Rs 51.8 lakh), respectively.All the accused have been arrested under provisions of the NDPS Act. “These seizures point to a growing trend of organised smuggling through international routes, particularly from Southeast Asia. We are strengthening surveillance,” an official said.
