Mumbai: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Mumbai Airport Customs on Wednesday arrested a Kerala based man for allegedly smuggling Hydroponic Weed worth Rs 4 crore from Bangkok. The narcotics substance was cleverly concealed in the food items carried by the passenger.
According to the Customs sources, on Tuesday night AIU officials intercepted one passenger namely Faisal Koyamadakath (54), who had arrived at CSMI Airport, Mumbai from Bangkok by a Thai Airways Flight on specific intelligence that he might be carrying some contraband tems.
Search of his baggage was carried out by the AIU officers. His trolley bag was Hound stuffed with clothes, some personal belongings and some food item boxes. After opening the boxes of food items, 11 vacuum sealed packets made of transparent plastic-like material containing greenish coloured dry leafy substance in it was recovered and inside his backpack 5 packets of food items were recovered and when opened similar green coloured dry leafy substance was found, agency sources said.
The Customs officers then tested the said substance which showed positive results for Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana), a substance covered under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Hydroponic Weed valued at Rs 4 crore had been seized on the reasonable belief that it was being smuggled into India.
"In his statement Faisal admitted that he was aware that smuggling of Hydroponic Weed and other illegal drugs into India attracts stringent punishment as per laws prevalent in India. However, he was getting a handsome amount of quick and easy money in lieu of smuggling the contraband to India," said a Customs official.
The AIU on Tuesday had arrested a 36-year-old Worli resident for allegedly smuggling Hydroponic Weed worth Rs 4.51 crore from Bangkok. On Sunday, in two separate cases, the Airport Customs officials had arrested three persons for allegedly smuggling Hydroponic Weed worth Rs 15.92 crore from Bangkok.
