Customs Seize Hydroponic Cannabis Worth ₹14 Crore at Hyderabad Airport

Customs authorities at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport have made a significant drug seizure, confiscating hydroponic cannabis valued at ₹14 crore from two passengers arriving from Qatar. This incident highlights a growing trend in drug smuggling operations, prompting increased surveillance at international airports. The detained passengers are currently being interrogated to uncover the source and destination of the drugs, with investigations suggesting possible links to international trafficking networks. This seizure follows a recent similar incident, indicating a concerning rise in attempts to smuggle high-grade cannabis into India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 9, 2026, 14:09 IST

Significant Drug Seizure at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

Hyderabad, January 9: Customs officials at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) made a substantial drug seizure on Friday, confiscating hydroponic cannabis valued at approximately ₹14 crore.

Authorities reported that the illegal substance was found in the luggage of two passengers arriving from Qatar.

This hydroponic cannabis, which is cultivated without soil, has an estimated market value of around ₹14 crore internationally.

Customs officers, acting on suspicion, stopped the two passengers and subjected their baggage to thorough scanning and inspection.

During the scanning process, officials discovered packets of hydroponic cannabis concealed within the luggage, totaling 14 kilograms.

The passengers were detained for questioning to identify the source and intended destination of the drugs, with investigations focusing on potential connections to international drug trafficking networks.

This seizure follows closely on the heels of another incident just two days prior, where customs officials intercepted one kilogram of hydroponic cannabis that a passenger had abandoned on a flight seat, fearing detection.

Hydroponic cannabis is recognized as a premium and costly narcotic. Officials noted a recent uptick in attempts to smuggle this type of cannabis into India from abroad.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and other agencies have ramped up monitoring efforts at international airports.

In a notable case last July, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized 400 kilograms of hydroponic cannabis from a female passenger's luggage at RGIA, with an estimated value of ₹40 crore.

Acting on intelligence, NCB officials intercepted the woman and discovered the contraband in her two checked bags. Investigations revealed she had sourced the drugs from Bangkok and returned to India via Dubai to evade suspicion, as there have been multiple instances of hydroponic cannabis being found on passengers arriving directly from Bangkok.