Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Viman Nagar, 13th February 2026: In a major drug bust at Pune International Airport, officers of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU), Pune Commissionerate (Pune Zone), seized 5,429 grams of hydroponic weed, commonly known as marijuana, with an estimated illicit market value of Rs 5.42 crore. One passenger has been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
According to officials, the operation was carried out on February 11, 2026, based on specific intelligence inputs and passenger profiling. The accused was intercepted after arriving from Bangkok on Air India Express flight IX-241.
During the search of his check-in baggage, officers recovered transparent packets containing hydroponic weed. The packets had been wrapped in carbon paper and concealed inside five toy boxes in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
The contraband was seized and the passenger was taken into custody. A case has been registered under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.
Customs officials said further investigation is underway to ascertain the source and intended distribution network of the seized narcotics.
