Chennai: Customs sleuths are investigating smuggling cartels engaging women to smuggle hydroponic ganja as at least three women have been arrested at Chennai airport in possession of 20kg of high-grade cannabis worth 20 crore.On Aug 22, customs sleuths, based on intelligence received from Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), intercepted a woman flyer who landed at Chennai airport from Bangkok.A thorough search of her checked-in luggage led to recovery of packets containing greenish-brown flowering and fruiting tops of a plant.The high-grade hydroponic weed was ingeniously concealed in six Thai snack packets and weighed 14.4kg in gross weight.It is estimated to be worth 14 crore as per street value. She was handed over to NCB for further investigation, since the receiver is suspected to be in Maharashtra. NCB sleuths said she had been in touch with a few Europe and US-based numbers on WhatsApp. NCB took her into custody for investigation.In yet another incident, the air intelligence unit of Chennai customs intercepted two women who arrived from Bangkok on Monday on suspicion.An X-ray screening of their checked-in baggage showed suspicious images. A detailed examination resulted in the recovery of eight packets containing a greenish, lumpy substance emitting a pungent odour, suspected to be high-grade hydroponic ganja. The packets were concealed in food packets. The recovered contraband weighed 6kg and tested positive for ganja. The same was seized under NDPS Act, and the duo were remanded.Customs officials suspect that smuggling cartels are hiring women as mules to bring hydroponic weed to evade seizure. An official said the women arrested in both the cases belong to different states and had visited Bangkok on tourist visas.“Since engaging male passengers to smuggle hydroponic weed has not been successful, the key men behind the illegal trade have started luring women by offering them a free trip and stay in Bangkok,” said an official.
