6.4 kg of suspected hybrid ganja seized at Kochi airport

The Customs Air Intelligence Unit at the Cochin International Airport on Monday (November 3) seized 6.4 kg of suspected hybrid ganja from a passenger who arrived from Bangkok. The suspected narcotic item is valued at around ₹6.4 crore, according to the Customs.

It was seized from Abdul Samad, a native of Wayanad, who arrived at the airport on VietJet flight VJ-1811 from Bangkok via Vietnam around 10.30 p.m. on Monday. He was intercepted by Customs officers acting on specific intelligence received by Deputy Commissioner Roy Varghese.

A detailed examination of his check-in baggage led to the recovery of 6,446 grams of hybrid ganja concealed inside his luggage, officials said. An investigation has been launched to trace the source and the intended recipients of the contraband, Customs sources said.

Last month, the Customs had seized 6 kg of suspected hybrid ganja from a fashion designer from Kodungalloor who landed at the Kochi airport from Bangkok. Before that, in September, Customs had arrested a 23-year-old man in Kochi with a similar consignment of the suspected drug.

Zachariya Titus of Vaduthala was arrested by the Customs intelligence wing, which intercepted him while he was leaving the Foreign Post Office after collecting a parcel allegedly containing the contraband on September 19.

Several cases of suspected hybrid ganja seizures have been reported from different parts of the State this year. In most cases, the high-valued narcotic substance, also known as hydroponic weed, was smuggled in from Thailand.