Surat Customs Confiscates High-Value Hydroponic Ganja from Bangkok Flight
The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs at Surat International Airport (SIA) has made a significant drug seizure, confiscating 3.7 kilograms of hydroponic ganja with an estimated street value of approximately Rs 3.75 crore. The contraband was discovered on Monday aboard a flight that had arrived from Bangkok, marking the second major interception at the airport within a span of just three days.
Discovery of Unclaimed Contraband
Following the aircraft's landing, the AIU team conducted a thorough and detailed inspection of the cabin. During their meticulous search, officers identified suspicious pouches that had been cleverly concealed near the safety jackets stored beneath three separate seats. Upon opening these pouches, they recovered seven vacuum-packed plastic packets, each meticulously wrapped in brown adhesive tape to avoid detection.
The seized material was promptly sent for laboratory analysis, which conclusively confirmed it to be marijuana, specifically the high-grade hydroponic ganja variety. Since the consignment remained unclaimed by any passenger, it was officially seized under the stringent provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Connection to a Recent Major Bust
This seizure is closely linked to a related operation conducted just the day before, on Sunday. In that instance, the AIU arrested four individuals and seized hydroponic ganja valued at around Rs 6 crore. The accused were identified as Pravin Karamvir, Vikram Bhaukal, Balvir Singh, and Pradip Suraj Bhan, all residents of Haryana, along with Anshul Gupta from Uttar Pradesh.
Customs officials revealed that in that prior case, the contraband was also found unclaimed on a flight that had arrived on Saturday, located near the seats occupied by the accused individuals. This pattern suggests a coordinated smuggling attempt.
Similar Modus Operandi in Both Cases
Investigators have noted striking similarities in the packaging methods used in both seizures. The packets were vacuum-packed, a technique that significantly reduces the volume of the consignment, making it easier to conceal and handle. The concealment near safety jackets appears to be a deliberate tactic to facilitate easy retrieval and smuggling out of the airport.
Since the accused in the earlier case allegedly abandoned the packets on board, authorities are actively probing whether another individual was intended to collect the consignment from the aircraft and subsequently smuggle it out of the airport premises. This theory is being rigorously examined in the current investigation as well.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps
A comprehensive investigation is currently underway to uncover the source and dismantle the broader network involved in this international drug smuggling racket. Customs officials are leveraging forensic evidence and intelligence to trace the origins of the narcotics and identify all individuals complicit in the operation.
The back-to-back seizures at Surat International Airport highlight the vigilance and effectiveness of the Air Intelligence Unit in intercepting illicit drug trafficking. Authorities have emphasized their commitment to continuing rigorous checks and employing advanced surveillance techniques to curb such activities and protect national security.
