Delhi Airport News: 2.7 Kg Suspected Hydroponic Weed Seized, Passenger Arrested
Delhi Airport News
Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in New Delhi have seized nearly 2.7 kg of suspected hydroponic weed from a passenger who arrived from Phuket. The passenger was arrested after Customs officials detected suspicious material in the baggage during screening.
According to officials, the incident took place on August 2, 2026. The passenger had travelled from Phuket to Delhi on an Air India flight. After arriving at the airport, the passenger crossed the Customs Green Channel. However, officials intercepted the passenger based on information generated through passenger profiling under the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS).
The APIS system allows authorities to receive passenger information in advance and use it as part of security and customs checks. Based on the profiling, Customs officials decided to examine the passenger’s baggage more carefully.
During an X-ray screening, officers noticed suspicious images inside the baggage. This prompted officials to conduct a detailed physical examination of the luggage. During the search, they reportedly found four vacuum-sealed packets containing a green-coloured substance.
The substance was suspected to be hydroponic weed, also referred to as cannabis or ganja. The seized material weighed 2,759 grams, including the packing material. Officials took the substance into custody for further examination and legal proceedings.
Delhi Customs confirmed the seizure through a post on social media. Officials said that the passenger had been arrested under the relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The suspected contraband, along with the material used to conceal and pack it, was also seized under the applicable provisions of the law.
The case highlights the important role played by airport Customs teams in preventing the illegal movement of narcotic substances through international airports. Passengers arriving from international destinations are subject to customs and security procedures, and suspicious baggage can be examined even when a traveller uses the Green Channel.
The use of X-ray screening and passenger information systems allows authorities to identify potentially suspicious baggage and conduct targeted inspections. In this case, the suspicious images detected during X-ray screening led to a more detailed search and the recovery of the four packets.
The seizure also shows the challenges faced by authorities in controlling the illegal transportation of narcotic substances through air routes. International airports remain important points of entry, making strong screening and intelligence-based checks essential for preventing smuggling.
The passenger is now facing legal action, while further investigation is expected to determine the source of the suspected hydroponic weed, its intended destination, and other details connected with the case. The seized substance will also be subject to the required examination as part of the investigation.
The 2,759-gram seizure at Delhi airport is another example of Customs authorities using passenger profiling, baggage scanning, and detailed searches to detect suspected narcotics. Officials continue to investigate the case, and further details may emerge as the legal proceedings progress.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
