Cochin airport: 4 kg hydroponic weed worth ₹1.5 crore seized, two arrested
Customs officials at Cochin International Airport seized around 4 kg of hydroponic weed, valued at approximately ₹1.5 crore, and arrested two passengers in connection with an alleged smuggling attempt, officials said on Tuesday.
The primary accused, Shakh Zaved Ali, a resident of Hyderabad, arrived at the airport on Monday on a Sri Lankan Airlines flight from Bangkok via Colombo, according to a Customs statement.
During the subsequent investigation, officials identified another passenger, Shivpratap Jaysing Sankpal of Kolhapur, Maharashtra, who had travelled on the same flight. He was allegedly involved in assisting Ali in the smuggling operation and was subsequently apprehended.
Both men have been arrested, while Customs officials are continuing their investigation into the alleged smuggling network and the circumstances surrounding the consignment.
Fresh update: The seizure comes amid increased scrutiny of hydroponic cannabis smuggling through Indian airports. In a separate operation at Bengaluru airport on September 26, authorities seized 18.09 kg of hydroponic ganja worth an estimated ₹6.33 crore from two passengers who had arrived from Bangkok.
with inputs from PTI
