Ahmedabad: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the customs department intercepted two persons at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport with 2.2kg of hydroponic marijuana (cannabis). This is the ninth such incident recorded at Gujarat airports (Ahmedabad and Surat) since the start of the year.According to the customs department release, acting on specific intelligence received from the DRI, officers of AIU Ahmedabad intercepted two Indian nationals arriving in Ahmedabad from Bangkok (Don Mueang). “Detailed examination of their baggage led to the recovery of eight vacuum-sealed plastic packets (four from each passenger) containing a greenish substance,” the release said. “The substance, upon testing, was confirmed to be hydroponic marijuana (cannabis).” Both passengers have been arrested under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985, said officers, adding that a probe is underway. They added that both individuals have been identified as residents of Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. The value of the hydroponic marijuana is estimated at Rs 35 lakh per kg, which increases substantially when reaching street-level dealers. In the majority of the known cases, the source is traced to Southeast Asian countries where flyers — often without any criminal records — are used to smuggle the contraband into the country. Experts said that the consignments are often hidden in the cabin baggage or within other items being carried. “There are multiple reasons why, in the recent past, we have seen a rise in its smuggling. Compared to naturally cultivated cannabis, hydroponic weed is grown with a nutrient-rich water solution without soil,” said an expert associated with the investigation. “It results in much higher potency compared to the same quantity of cannabis. It is also seen as a luxury product and an alternative to synthetic drugs.” The expert said, “Suppliers make higher profits for the same quantity of standard cannabis.” BOX Seizures this year Hydroponic weed recovered March 21: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) at Surat seized seven vacuum-packed packets from the backrests of four seats in an aircraft going from Surat to Delhi March 14: The AIU at Surat seized 1.6kg of hydroponic weed from the pouch meant for storing safety jackets beneath seats March 10: AIU at Surat seized 3.7kg of hydroponic weed, packed in vacuum-sealed packets, from an aircraft. The pouches were kept beneath seven seats meant for storing safety jackets Feb 9: AIU at Surat seized 2kg of hydroponic weed from six brown-coloured packets from the leg area of a seat on a flight from Bangkok to Surat Feb 6: AIU at Surat seized seven packets containing 6.9kg of hydroponic weed from the seat backrest of a flight from Bangkok to Surat. Four persons were apprehended Feb 2: A female passenger from a flight from Bangkok to Ahmedabad was intercepted by AIU at Ahmedabad with 948 grams of hydroponic weed. The contraband was kept in a travel bag concealed within nine packets of food and chocolate Jan 25: Four persons arriving from Bangkok with a transit stop at Kuala Lumpur were intercepted at Ahmedabad airport and 12.4kg of hydroponic weed was seized from them
