Two held after DRI seizes hydroponic marijuana worth ₹3.05 crore at RGIA

Two persons were arrested for allegedly smuggling hydroponic marijuana worth ₹3.05 crore by officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday.

According to the DRI, officers of the Hyderabad Zonal Unit intercepted two Indian passengers who arrived from Bangkok at the airport based on specific intelligence inputs.

During examination of their check-in baggage, officials recovered 24 black-coloured packets containing a greenish lumpy substance with a pungent odour.

The contraband had allegedly been concealed inside insulated water bottles, a potato snack tin and multiple food tins, plastic containers and cardboard boxes.

The seized substance weighed 8.705 kg and tested positive for marijuana using a narcotic drug detection kit, officials said.

The DRI officials stated that the seized hydroponic marijuana is estimated to be worth around ₹3.05 crore in the illicit market.

Both passengers were arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

Officials said further investigation is under way to identify the source of the contraband and trace the network involved in the smuggling operation.