The accused passengers were intercepted by customs authorities after they arrived from Bangkok on January 6. Their baggage was subjected to detailed examination following suspicion
The four passengers have been arrested following the recovery of the contraband, officials said. Representational Pic/File
Four people were arrested at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi after customs officials seized marijuana and cigarettes valued at over Rs 43 crore, officials said on Friday, reported the PTI.
The accused passengers were intercepted by customs authorities after they arrived from Bangkok on January 6. Their baggage was subjected to detailed examination following suspicion.
Marijuana hidden in trolley bags
According to a post shared by customs officials on X, a total of 36 polythene pouches containing a green-coloured narcotic substance suspected to be weed (ganja) or marijuana were recovered from four trolley bags. The seized substance weighed 43.13 kilograms.
Cigarettes seized
In addition to the narcotics, customs officials also recovered two bags containing 76 ‘dandas’ (sticks) of Gold Flake cigarettes, which were being smuggled into the country.
Contraband valued at Rs 43.14 crore
Preliminary diagnostic tests indicated that the seized substance was ganja or marijuana. Customs officials stated that the total estimated value of the seized contraband, including the cigarettes, stood at approximately Rs 43.14 crore.
The four passengers have been arrested, and both the suspected narcotic substance and the cigarettes have been seized. Further investigation into the smuggling racket is currently underway, officials said.
Mumbai Customs seize diamonds, gold and drugs worth crores at airport
Meanwhile, in a different case last week, Mumbai Customs department on Saturday said that it has seized diamonds, gold and drugs worth crores of rupees at Mumbai airport and nabbed the passengers involved in smuggling them.
According to the Mumbai Customs, during checking at Mumbai airport between December 30 and 31, 2025, officers of the Airport Commissionerate of Mumbai Customs Zone–III intercepted several high-value items being smuggled by some of the passengers.
In one case, 849.6 carats of diamonds worth approximately Rs 2.52 crore were recovered from a passenger who had concealed the diamonds inside their body cavity.
Gold smuggling cases
Customs officials recovered gold in multiple cases. In one such case around 89 grams of 24-carat gold rhodium-plated buttons valued at Rs 11.35 lakh from a passenger.
In an another case, 1.47 kg of 24-carat gold dust in wax form, worth around Rs 1.87 crore, was recovered from a passenger and an airport staff member. The operation involved Bangladeshi transit passengers handing over the gold to airport staff.
The officials also recovered 160 grams of 24-carat gold valued at Rs 20.41 lakh from two passengers, based on specific intelligence in a separate case.
Hydroponic weed seizures
The officials also intercepted suspected hydroponic weed in two separate cases. In the first such case, 8.008 kg, worth an estimated Rs 8.008 crore in the illicit market, from a passenger arriving from Bangkok. The individual was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
In a different case, 1.946 kg, valued at approximately Rs 1.946 crore, was seized from another Bangkok passenger arriving at airport, who was also arrested under the NDPS Act.
(with PTI inputs)
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