IGI seizes 18 kg of marijuana. Photo; Shutterstock Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport have uncovered a smuggling attempt involving nearly 18 kilograms of hydroponic cannabis in a coordinated operation linking passengers arriving from Bangkok and Sharjah.
The incident follows last week's seizure of 396 grams of gold hidden inside chocolate packets in two separate smuggling cases involving passengers arriving at IGI from Riyadh.
According to officials, officers from the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) at IGI Airport were monitoring a passenger who arrived from Bangkok on flight AI 2335 dated May 12, 2026. The individual had been placed under discreet surveillance based on intelligence inputs.
IGI Airport. Photo: cameranest / Shutterstock.comAt the same time, another passenger arriving from Sharjah on flight IX 136 was selected for spot profiling while passing through the Green Channel. The passenger was carrying a bag without a baggage tag, which immediately raised suspicion among customs officers.
During X-ray screening, officers detected unusual images inside the luggage. A detailed inspection and personal search followed, during which baggage tags linked to another passenger were recovered.
The passenger later admitted he had been instructed to collect a bag booked under the name of the Bangkok passenger. This revelation led investigators to connect both arrivals as part of a coordinated smuggling network.
Further examination of the bag led to the recovery of 17.720 kilograms of hydroponic weed, commonly known as ganja, along with packaging material. Officials confirmed the narcotics were concealed in a carefully arranged manner intended to evade detection.
Customs authorities stated that a case has been formally registered under anti-smuggling laws, and further investigation is underway to identify the wider network behind the attempt.