6kg hydroponic weed seized from flyer at Chennai airport

Chennai: Customs sleuths at Chennai International airport foiled yet another bid to smuggle hydroponic weed into the country with the arrest of a flyer in possession of 6kg of cannabis. Since Jan, customs thwarted at least four attempts to smuggle hydroponic weed into India and seized more than 40 kg of hydroponic weed, including the latest seizure. The flyer, a native of Kerala, who arrived from Bangkok on Wednesday by an Air Asia flight, was intercepted based on specific intelligence. His check-in baggage was inspected, and officers seized 15 airtight transparent polythene packets hidden among the clothes.The field drug test confirmed it was marijuana, and customs sleuths said it was hydroponic weed. In total, 5.9kg of weed worth 6 crore was seized.Inquiries revealed that the flyer was engaged by smuggling cartels in Kerala to smuggle contraband from Thailand. Officers said that the flyer, a degree holder, was offered a free trip to Bangkok and provided with accommodation, sightseeing, as well as money to smuggle hydroponic weed.The weed was seized under NDPS Act, and the flyer was arrested and remanded.