India Busts 6.37kg Cannabis Smuggling Ring Linked to Thailand Flights
India Busts 6.37kg Cannabis Smuggling Ring Linked to Thailand Flights
NEW DELHI, 16 July 2026 — Delhi Customs officers have arrested three Indian passengers after seizing a total of 6.37 kilogrammes of suspected hydroponic cannabis smuggled on separate flights arriving from Bangkok and Phuket at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
According to Customs officials, the seizures were made in three separate cases after the passengers were identified through the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), which is used to profile travellers before arrival.
In the largest seizure, officers stopped an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok after he passed through the Green Channel. Although no contraband was found in his baggage, a search of the aircraft uncovered four sealed packets containing 3.47kg of suspected hydroponic cannabis hidden inside the two rear lavatories. Officials said the passenger later admitted concealing the drugs there.
In a second case, another Indian passenger arriving from Phuket was intercepted through APIS profiling. After finding nothing illegal in the passenger’s luggage, officers searched the aircraft and discovered six sealed packets weighing approximately 1.5kg hidden beneath seats in Row 12. Customs said the passenger confessed to hiding the packages under the seats.
The third arrest involved another passenger arriving from Bangkok. During X-ray screening of the passenger’s baggage after crossing the Green Channel, officers detected suspicious images and recovered two vacuum-sealed packets containing about 1.4kg of suspected hydroponic cannabis.
All three suspects were arrested under Section 43(b) of India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, while the suspected cannabis was seized under Section 43(a).
Authorities said investigations are continuing into the smuggling network, including possible involvement by airport personnel suspected of assisting two of the passengers.
Delhi Customs also reminded travellers that although cannabis may be legally purchased or consumed under certain conditions in Thailand, it cannot be taken out of the country without official permission. Officials urged travellers to comply with both Thai export regulations and the narcotics laws of their destination, noting that India enforces strict drug laws and routinely uses passenger information for pre-arrival customs screening.
