PANAJI (Friday, March 27, 2026) — In one of the largest drug hauls at the newly operational Manohar International Airport (MIA), Goa Customs officials arrested five passengers on Wednesday for smuggling 23.8 kg of high-grade hydroponic weed. The contraband, valued at over ₹8 crore in the international market, was intercepted by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU).
The Operation: “Food Packet” Concealment
The crackdown was the result of a coordinated intelligence operation targeting international transit routes known for narcotics trafficking.
- The Interception: The AIU team, acting on specific behavioral cues and scanning data, intercepted five passengers arriving on two separate flights—one from Bangkok (Thailand) and another from Abu Dhabi via Muscat.
- The Concealment: During the examination of their checked-in baggage, officers discovered the marijuana vacuum-sealed and hidden inside commercial food packets. The professional packaging was intended to mask the distinct odor of the hydroponic strain.
- The Seizure: A total of 23.8 kg of the substance was recovered. Unlike traditional cannabis, “hydroponic weed” is grown in nutrient-rich water without soil, resulting in significantly higher THC levels and a much higher market price.
Key Details of the Arrest
The Five suspects are currently in judicial custody as the investigation expands into the wider distribution network.
| Detail | Information |
| Quantity Seized | 23.8 kg |
| Estimated Value | ₹8.33 Crore |
| Origin Points | Bangkok (Thailand) and Abu Dhabi (UAE) |
| Agency | Air Intelligence Unit (AIU), Goa Customs |
| Legal Action | Case registered under the NDPS Act, 1985 |
Context: The “Bangkok-Goa” Narcotics Trail
Customs Commissioner Sunil B. Deshmukh noted that since Thailand decriminalized certain forms of cannabis, Indian airports have seen a surge in attempts to smuggle high-quality strains back into the country.
- Manohar International Airport (MIA): As a growing international hub, MIA has increased its surveillance and baggage screening protocols to prevent it from becoming a gateway for the “party drug” circuit in North Goa.
- NDPS Consequences: Under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the possession of “commercial quantities” of such drugs carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
Sources
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “Five held with hydroponic weed worth Rs 8 crore at Goa airport” (March 27, 2026).
- The Times of India: “Goa: Five held at Mopa airport with hydroponic weed worth Rs 8.3 crore” (March 27, 2026).
- Hindustan Times: “Goa Customs seize 23.8 kg hydroponic weed from Bangkok passengers” (March 27, 2026).
- Official Statement: Office of the Commissioner of Customs, Goa (March 27, 2026).
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