Bhubaneswar: Directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) sleuths on Tuesday seized 11 kg of hydroponic marijuana worth Rs 5 crore and detained two passengers who arrived from Bangkok at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here.DRI officers said the marijuana consignment was seized at the airport after three months. This was the 12th time the DRI seized the contraband since Jan 2025, DRI officials said.The two passengers, who were in possession of multiple packets of marijuana packed in the guise of food items, were identified as just carriers. Their identities have not been disclosed.“Big trolleys were used to pack the marijuana. The bottom of the trolleys looked as if there was no layer down. But on close scrutiny, we found a chamber where the packets had been hidden,” said DRI officer.DRI officers said the high-quality marijuana was grown using the hydroponic method. DRI and customs officers are interrogating the passengers, who, before boarding the flight in Bangkok, somehow managed to escape mechanical scanners and security personnel. “The carriers’ interrogation will reveal the main trader in Bangkok and to which locations they were going to supply the contraband,” the officer added.DRI officers said moments after the flight took off from Bangkok, they received a tip-off that the huge marijuana consignment was coming to BPIA. “We positioned our staff and took the help of customs as well. The scanners provided hazy images, but physical checks revealed the contraband. Each packet was unwrapped and weighed,” the officer added.
