Mumbai: The Mumbai Airport Customs officials have arrested three persons in two separate cases for allegedly smuggling Hydroponic Weed collectively valued at over Rs 8 crore from Bangkok. Those arrested have been identified as Mira Road resident S.S. Shaikh and Surat residents B.K. Patel and N.B. Donda.
In the first case, Customs officers intercepted one passenger S.S. Shaikh, on the basis of profiling that he might be carrying some contraband items, after he arrived at CSMI Airport on Tuesday from Bangkok.
His trolley bag was found stuffed with clothes, some personal belongings and 10 packets containing greenish coloured dry leafy substance in it was recovered which showed positive result for Hydroponic weed (Cannabis), a substance covered under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The officers recovered 4981 grams of hydroponic weed worth Rs 4.98 crores from him.
Shaikh's lawyer Ashish Singh argued for him in the court following which he was remanded to judicial custody.
In the second case, on the basis of specific Intelligence that they might be carrying some narcotic substance concealed in their baggage, two passengers B.K. Patel and N.B Donda who had arrived at CSMI Airport from Bangkok on Monday were intercepted.
The Customs officials seized 3.15 kg hydroponic weed worth Rs 3.15 crore from their possession. The agency sources said that Patel is working as garment seller earning monthly Rs 30,000. whereas Donda is working as diamond broker earning monthly Rs. 45,000.
"On 20.03.2025, both the accused had gone to Bangkok from Mumbai Airport on the instructions of their handler, identified as Atul. Patel was supposed to bring trolley hag containing hydroponic weed to CSMI Airport Mumbai from Bangkok and it was to be handed over to the agent of Atul at Vapi and for which Atul had promised him Rs. 30,000. Whereas Dond accompanying Patel was entrusted with the responsibility of keeping watch on Patel. Accordingly, Patel received trolley bag containing hydroponic weed and Donda was keeping watch on him throughout journey from Bangkok to Mumbai. Both the accused have claimed that they aided and abetted in the smuggling of Hydroponic Weed for the first time," said a Customs source.
