Chennai Airport News: Malaysian National Held With 4.033 Kg Hydroponic Ganja
Chennai Airport News
A Malaysian national has been arrested at Chennai International Airport after Customs officials allegedly recovered 4.033 kg of suspected high-grade hydroponic ganja from his checked-in baggage.
The passenger was intercepted by officers of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Chennai Customs after arriving from Bangkok on Friday night. The action was reportedly based on passenger profiling and intelligence inputs.
According to officials, the passenger allegedly attempted to leave the airport through the Green Channel without declaring any goods to Customs.
During an X-ray screening of his checked-in baggage, officials noticed suspicious images. This led Customs officers to carry out a detailed examination of the luggage.
During the inspection, officers discovered four packets containing a greenish and lumpy substance. The substance reportedly had a strong and pungent smell, which raised further suspicion.
The four packets were allegedly hidden inside false bottoms of the passenger’s luggage.
Customs officials recovered a total of 4,033 grams, or 4.033 kg, of the suspected substance. The material was suspected to be high-grade hydroponic ganja, a form of cannabis grown using controlled growing methods rather than traditional soil-based cultivation.
A narcotic drug detection kit was used during the initial examination. According to Customs officials, the substance tested positive for ganja/marijuana.
The recovered material was subsequently seized by the authorities.
The contraband was seized under Section 43(a) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
The Malaysian passenger was arrested following the recovery. He was later produced before the authorities and remanded in judicial custody.
The case is now part of an investigation by Customs officials. Authorities will examine the circumstances surrounding the passenger’s journey from Bangkok to Chennai and investigate the source and intended destination of the suspected contraband.
The incident highlights the role of passenger profiling and baggage screening in detecting attempts to transport illegal substances through airports.
The passenger reportedly passed through the Green Channel without making a declaration. However, the X-ray screening of his checked baggage raised suspicion and led officials to conduct a more detailed inspection.
The discovery of the false compartments inside the luggage helped Customs officials locate the packets containing the suspected ganja.
Airport Customs authorities regularly use intelligence inputs, passenger profiling, X-ray screening and physical inspections to detect prohibited items.
The recovery of more than 4 kg of suspected hydroponic ganja at Chennai airport has prompted further investigation. Officials are expected to examine the passenger’s travel details and other available evidence to determine whether anyone else was involved.
The seizure and arrest also underline the strict legal consequences associated with transporting narcotic substances.
For now, the Malaysian national remains in judicial custody while the investigation continues. Further action will depend on the findings of Customs officials and the legal process.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
