04 March,2026 05:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The drugs seized by Mumbai Customs between February 24 and March 2. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Mumbai Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport have made significant seizures of narcotics, precious gems, gold jewellery, and undeclared currency between February 24 and March 2.
According to a press note issued by Mumbai Customs Zone-3 Airport Commissionerate, the cases were detected through spot profiling and analysis of the advanced passenger information system (APIS).
Eight cases involving hydroponic weed were registered, leading to the recovery of 44.292 kg of the drug under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, from nine passengers arriving from Bangkok. The contraband has an estimated market value of Rs 44.29 crore. Additionally, 299 grams of an NDPS substance purported to be methaqualone were seized, with an estimated market value of Rs 74.75 lakh.
Customs officers also recovered:
Foreign and Indian currency equivalent to Rs 32.85 lakh
455 carats of natural and lab-grown diamonds valued at Rs 94.97 lakh
21 Kt gold broken jewellery weighing 160.79 grams, valued at Rs 21.51 lakh
1,203.69 carats of cut and polished emeralds, rubies, sapphires, amethyst, prasiolite, and other multi-coloured gems valued at Rs 15.16 lakh
Mumbai Customs Zone-3 said these seizures reflect the effectiveness of intelligence-based passenger screening in preventing smuggling of narcotics and high-value undeclared goods. Further investigations are underway to trace any larger smuggling networks. All arrested individuals are facing legal proceedings under relevant laws.
In a similar operation last month, Mumbai Customs Zone-3 officers made multiple seizures including gold, hydroponic weed, and illegal medicines at the city airport.
The officers said that the seizures were made between February 17 and 24.
The operations were carried out using spot checks and APIS profiling, as well as intelligence-based interventions.
Three separate cases involved passengers arriving from Bangkok carrying hydroponic weed.
A total of 23.593 kilograms of suspected narcotic drugs were recovered, with an estimated market value of approximately Rs 23.59 crore.
Three passengers were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, officers said.
In three other cases, a total of 591.9 grams of gold was recovered from passengers. The recovered gold is valued at around Rs 85.35 lakh.
