Woman held at RGI Airport in Hyderabad with 40 kg of hydroponic ganja worth Rs 14 crore

HYDERABAD: Acting on specific intelligence, the Hyderabad unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) intercepted a woman passenger at Rajiv Gandhi International (RGI) Airport and seized 40.2 kg of hydroponic ganja concealed in her two check-in bags. The seized contraband is estimated to be worth Rs 14 crore in the illegal market.According to investigators, the woman had sourced the high-grade cannabis from Bangkok and attempted to evade suspicion by routing her journey through Dubai before arriving in Hyderabad. Authorities have heightened surveillance on passengers flying in from Bangkok, following a spike in hydroponic ganja smuggling attempts into India. “We’re investigating backward linkages in Thailand and forward linkages in India to dismantle the syndicate,” said an NCB official.The accused reportedly flew from Mumbai to Bangkok, received the contraband-filled suitcases, and then boarded a connecting Emirates flight from Dubai to Hyderabad. She landed at RGI Airport around 3.30 am on Wednesday, where she was intercepted by NCB officials. Preliminary investigations indicate she was awaiting further instructions from accomplices who were expected to collect the consignment and move it to Mumbai.In recent months, customs officials at RGI Airport have caught 12 passengers arriving from Bangkok carrying hydroponic ganja. However, until now, the seized quantities were below commercial levels. Officials say this case is among the largest busts involving hydroponic cannabis from Thailand.The NCB has urged citizens to support the fight against narcotics by reporting any suspicious activities. Information can be shared via MANAS—national narcotics helpline (toll-free No. 1933). The identity of callers will be kept strictly confidential.