A 20-year-old passenger was arrested at Ahmedabad airport on Sunday after Customs officials allegedly recovered 10,911 grams of hydroponic marijuana, valued at more than Rs 10 crore in the illicit market, from his checked-in baggage.
According to officials, the accused had arrived from Bangkok and was intercepted by officers of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Ahmedabad Customs after a sniffer dog indicated the presence of narcotic substances in the luggage.
Passenger identified after baggage screening
An official release said the sniffer dog alerted officers during the examination of checked-in baggage. Using the baggage tag, AIU officials identified and intercepted the passenger.
Ahmedabad Customs Additional Commissioner S R Vishnoi identified the accused as Ibrahim Sefulla, a 20-year-old resident of Gujarat's Junagadh district.
Five packets of hydroponic marijuana seized
A detailed search of the passenger's checked-in trolley bag led to the recovery of five silver-coloured polythene packets containing green-coloured plant material.
The seized material was tested using a field test kit, which confirmed it as hydroponic marijuana, also known as ganja. Officials said the total net weight of the recovered contraband was 10,911 grams.
According to Vishnoi, the estimated value of the seized hydroponic marijuana in the illegal market exceeds Rs 10 crore.
Investigation underway
The contraband has been seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Officials said further investigation is underway.
What is hydroponic marijuana?
Hydroponic marijuana is cannabis cultivated without soil. Instead, the plant's roots are suspended in a water-based solution enriched with nutrients, allowing it to grow under controlled conditions.
