Mumbai Airport Bust: Customs Seize ₹8.12 Crore Worth Hydroponic Marijuana from Bangkok

Mumbai: In a major crackdown, Mumbai airport customs officials arrested three passengers smuggling ₹8.12 crore worth of hydroponic marijuana from Bangkok in two separate operations on Monday night. The accused had concealed the contraband inside trolley bags.

Two Smuggling Operations at Mumbai Airport

In the first case, Salman Shaikh (24) was intercepted upon arrival from Bangkok via Thai Airways. Though his personal search was clear, officials discovered 4.98 kg of hydroponic marijuana, valued at ₹4.98 crore, hidden inside his luggage.

In the second case, based on specific intelligence, two Surat-based men—Bipinkumar Patel (38) and Nileshbhai Donda (36)—were caught after arriving from Bangkok on an Air India flight. A search of Patel’s bag led to the seizure of 3.14 kg of hydroponic weed, estimated at ₹3.15 crore. Patel, a garment seller, was allegedly paid ₹30,000 to act as a carrier, while Donda was tasked with keeping an eye on him.

Arrest & Court Proceedings

All three accused were arrested under the NDPS Act for smuggling commercial quantities of narcotics, which carries severe punishment upon conviction. On Tuesday, they were presented before the court, where their lawyer denied their involvement. The court remanded them to judicial custody.

This bust highlights the growing challenge of international drug trafficking through Indian airports, with authorities tightening security to curb such operations.