Surat Customs Makes Major Drug Bust at International Airport
The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the customs department executed a significant operation on Wednesday, intercepting a substantial quantity of marijuana valued at Rs 6.40 crore at Surat International Airport. The contraband was discovered on passengers arriving from Bangkok, marking the third major seizure on this route within a short timeframe.
Passenger Profiling Leads to Interception
Acting on intelligence and passenger profiling techniques, the customs team identified and stopped two individuals, Vinod Kumar and Kamlesh Dhanka, for detailed inspection. During the examination of their luggage, officials uncovered 30 vacuum-sealed packets containing a suspicious green substance. The suspects were unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the materials in their possession.
Forensic Confirmation and Arrests
The seized packets contained approximately 6.40 kg of the green substance. Samples were immediately sent for laboratory testing and forensic analysis, which later confirmed the material to be marijuana. Following this confirmation, the accused admitted to transporting the illegal contraband. Consequently, both individuals were arrested, and a thorough investigation has been initiated to uncover further details and potential connections.
Pattern of Seizures on Bangkok–Surat Route
This incident represents the third major drug seizure linked to flights between Bangkok and Surat in recent days, highlighting an emerging pattern of smuggling activity. On February 9, customs officials recovered 3.7 kg of hydroponic ganja, with an estimated value of around Rs 3.75 crore, from another Bangkok–Surat flight. Prior to that, on February 8, the AIU arrested four persons and seized hydroponic ganja worth approximately Rs 6 crore. These consecutive busts underscore the heightened vigilance and effective profiling methods employed by the customs authorities to combat drug trafficking through this air corridor.
The ongoing investigations aim to dismantle any networks involved and prevent future attempts, with officials emphasizing the seriousness of such offenses and the stringent actions being taken to curb the flow of narcotics into the region.
