Woman arrested at Pune airport with 3.255 kg of hydroponic weed worth Rs 1.14 crore from Bangkok

Pune Customs officials at Pune International Airport have seized 3.255 kg of hydroponic weed, also known as marijuana or ganja, from an Indian woman passenger who arrived from Bangkok. The seized goods are estimated to be worth about Rs 1.14 crore. The woman has been arrested and the case is under further investigation.

According to a press release issued by Pune Customs, the action took place on the evening of November 5, 2026. Officials of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) and the airport batch first examined the woman's travel details. A scan of her checked-in bag then showed something suspicious, and she was stopped.

The woman had arrived from Bangkok on Air India Express flight IX-291. Following the procedure laid down under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, officials examined her baggage closely. They found specially made compartments, which had been concealed, behind the inner lining on both sides of the trolley bag.

A search of the compartments yielded two rectangular, slab-like packets. Each packet was vacuum-sealed and wrapped in three layers of black plastic. Inside the packets was a dry, flowery substance of orange-green colour with a strong, pungent smell.

Officials tested the substance with a narcotic drug field testing kit. The test indicated the presence of marijuana or ganja, that is, hydroponic weed.

Pune Customs seized the entire consignment, weighing 3.255 kg, under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. The estimated market value of the seized contraband has been put at Rs 1.14 crore.

The woman has been arrested in the case. Customs officials are now investigating further to find out where the consignment came from and who else is involved in the alleged smuggling network.