Hydroponic marijuana worth ₹14 crore seized at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

January 9, 2026

New Delhi: Customs officials at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) seized hydroponic marijuana (cannabis) worth approximately ₹14 crore from two passengers arriving from Qatar on Friday.

Two passengers from Qatar detained

Officers suspected the two passengers were stopped and their luggage was thoroughly scanned and physically examined. During the investigation, packets of hydroponic marijuana hidden within their luggage were recovered. According to officials, a total of 14 kilograms of the drug was seized.

Investigating connections to an international drug syndicate

Both passengers are being detained and interrogated to determine the source of the drugs, their possible destination, and any links to an international drug syndicate.

Seizures also occurred two days ago

This action comes just two days after one kilogram of hydroponic marijuana was recovered from another flight. It was reported that a passenger left the drug on his seat out of fear of being caught during a check.

Increasing Attempts to Smuggle from Abroad

According to officials, attempts to smuggle hydroponic marijuana into India from abroad have increased recently. In response, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and other agencies have tightened surveillance at international airports. Hydroponic marijuana is grown without soil and is considered a high-quality and expensive narcotic.

Major NCB Action Last Year

In a similar case, in July last year, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) recovered 400 kilograms of hydroponic marijuana, valued at approximately ₹40 crore, from two check-in bags belonging to a female passenger at RGIA. Acting on intelligence, investigations revealed that the woman had obtained the drugs from Bangkok and returned to India via Dubai to avoid suspicion, as hydroponic marijuana had been seized from passengers arriving directly from Bangkok in several previous cases.