In two separate cases, the Air Intelligence Unit of Airport Customs arrested three persons for allegedly smuggling hydroponic weed worth Rs 15.92 crore from Bangkok.

About The Cases

In the first case, on Sunday, the AIU officers intercepted one passenger Mohammed Mandottil, a resident of Kerala after he arrived from Bangkok. On searching his baggage, officials found a carton containing a water heater with 70 packets of a substance that tested positive for weed (marijuana) valued at Rs 6.94 crore.

Mandottil told the AIU that he was aware that smuggling of weed and other illegal drugs into India attracts stringent punishment. “However, he was getting quick and easy money in lieu of smuggling,” an official said.

In the second case, officials intercepted two passengers together – Faiyaz Shah, a resident of Uttar Pradesh and Govandi resident Mohammad Ansari – and found weed worth Rs8.97 crore concealed in seven pillow covers