Bhubaneswar: In one of the biggest drug busts in recent times, the Customs Department at Biju Patnaik International Airport ( seized a massive consignment of hydroponic marijuana valued at over ₹30 crore. The contraband, also known as ‘hydroponic weed,’ was intercepted from six pieces of checked luggage arriving on IndiGo flight 6E-1066 from Bangkok.
The seizure was made during a routine inspection when customs officials grew suspicious of the baggage belonging to three passengers. Upon detailed examination, officials discovered approximately 30 kilograms of high-grade hydroponic marijuana—cultivated using nutrient-rich water instead of soil—hidden inside the bags. With an estimated street value of ₹1 crore per kilogram, the total value of the haul exceeds ₹30 crore.
The detained passengers have been identified as Mohammad Jam, Mohit, and Bamati, all residents of Fatehpur Sikri in Uttar Pradesh. They are currently being interrogated by customs officials to determine the origin of the drugs, potential accomplices, and the intended recipients. Initial investigations suggest the possibility of an international smuggling syndicate using regional airports in India as transit points.
Authorities have intensified efforts to trace the wider network behind the consignment, as the bust underscores rising concerns about international drug trafficking routes exploiting airports in Tier-II cities like Bhubaneswar.
