Mumbai: In a major drug bust, the Mumbai customs department has arrested a 31-year-old man from Punjab, Kawaljit Singh, for attempting to smuggle 9.53 kilograms of high-grade hydroponic ganja from Bangkok into India. The seizure, made at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, is valued at a staggering Rs 9.53 crore in the illicit drug market. Singh was intercepted upon arrival and his baggage was subjected to detailed inspection. A suspicious package was found concealed inside, which, upon testing with a field drug detection kit, returned positive for narcotic substances.
Authorities confirmed that the seized substance was hydroponic cannabis, a potent variant of marijuana cultivated under controlled indoor environments using water-based solutions. This form of ganja is highly sought after in elite drug circuits due to its purity and strength.
As per the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, possession of more than 1 kilogram of ganja is considered a commercial quantity. In Singh’s case, the seized 9.532 kilograms far exceeds the threshold, inviting the strictest legal provisions under the act. Singh has been booked under relevant sections of the NDPS Act and taken into judicial custody. Further investigation is underway to trace the origin of the consignment, potential international links, and any domestic distribution networks involved.
Officials said the arrest is part of heightened surveillance and profiling of international passengers following increased trafficking attempts through courier and baggage routes.