Chennai, July 22:
Officers of the Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) seized 4,076 gms of hydroponic ganja (cannabis) at the Anna international airport from a passenger who arrived from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
A PIB release said based on passenger profiling, officers of the AIU, Chennai Customs intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Kuala Lumpur at the airport. During X-ray screening, the passenger’s checked-in baggage exhibited suspicious images.
A detailed examination resulted in the recovery of four packets containing a greenish, lumpy substance emitting a sharp and pungent odour, suspected to be high-grade Hydroponic Ganja (Cannabis). The packets were concealed inside the checked-in baggage in transparent air-tight pouches wrapped with black polyfilm.
The recovered contraband weighed 4,076 grams (net weight) and tested positive for Ganja/Marijuana using the Narcotic Drug Detection Kit. The contraband was seized under the provisions of Section 43(a) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The passenger has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
Further investigation is in progress.
Chennai Customs advises the public, particularly the youth, to remain vigilant against offers of sponsored foreign travel and easy money for carrying unknown baggage on their return journey.
Analysis of recent cases reveals that smuggling syndicates frequently target young individuals by funding their travel, accommodation, and other expenses, and subsequently use them to carry and deliver contraband into India. Involvement in such activities can ruin lives, as these are serious offences under the law that invite strict punishment and long-term legal consequences.