Pune Customs officials have seized 10.642 kg of high-grade hydroponic weed (worth around ₹3.72 crore in illegal market) from an Indian passenger who arrived from Bangkok on the evening of November 4, 2026 at Pune International Airport.
The passenger was on Air India Express flight IX-291 from Bangkok when customs officials stopped him after suspicious items were found in his baggage. Officers of AIU and Airport Batch of Pune Customs conducted the operation.
Customs investigation found that the suspected narcotics were hidden inside commercial food packets to evade detection. The seizure demonstrates how airport authorities are struggling with sophisticated drug-smuggling methods.
Hydroponic Weed Hidden Inside Durian Packets
Officials examined the passenger’s trolley bag and found nine rectangular silver-coloured vacuum-sealed packets with labels of ‘Freeze Dried Monthong Durian’.
The packets were reportedly covered with two layers of black polythene and placed among noodles and other commercial food products. This was allegedly done so that the suspicious packages would look like ordinary food items.
However, on closer inspection yellowish-green dried floral material was found inside the packets. Officials smelled a strong pungent smell coming from the substance.
A preliminary test with a Narcotic Drug Field Testing Kit showed the substance to be marijuana or ganja. High quality hydroponic weed weighing 10.642 kg was seized.
Customs officials put the value of the seized consignment at ₹3.72 crore in the black market. The entire quantity along with packaging materials was seized under NDPS Act, 1985.
Passenger Arrested Under NDPS Act
The Indian passenger was arrested under the NDPS Act provisions and produced before judicial magistrate.
The court remanded the accused to judicial custody till November 18, 2026. Further investigation is on to find out where the drugs came from and whether the passenger acted alone or part of a larger smuggling ring.
#WATCH | Maharashtra: Pune Customs officials at Pune International Airport seized 10.642 kg of hydroponic weed, valued at approximately Rs 3.72 crore, from an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok. The contraband was concealed in nine vacuum-sealed packets labelled as 'Freeze Dried Monthong Durian' and hidden among commercial food items, including noodle packets, inside the passenger's check-in baggage. The accused has been arrested under the NDPS Act and remanded to judicial custody till November 18. Further investigation is underway to bust the international smuggling syndicate. (Source: Pune Customs)
— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2026
Investigation Underway to Identify International Drug Network
Pune Customs officials are still looking for people who allegedly arranged and transported the consignment. Investigators will look into travel history of passenger, contacts etc and links with suppliers and distributors.
Food packaging used to hide narcotics has once again brought the attention of drug traffickers to changing methods. Commercial products and vacuum sealed packaging can make suspicious luggage harder to spot during routine checks.
Pune Customs Strengthen Airport Surveillance
The seizure shows that passenger profiling, baggage scanning and inspection at international airports must be done well. Customs authorities are also watching suspicious travel patterns and attempts to smuggle prohibited substances into the country.
The operation also shows how closer coordination between airport intelligence teams and customs officers can help intercept suspected narcotics consignments.
The investigation is still on and authorities are trying to piece together the entire network behind the attempted smuggling operation. It’s another example of how enforcement agencies struggle to prevent international drug trafficking through India’s airports.
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