The Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI), Mumbai, successfully intercepted three separate smuggling attempts within three days, seizing narcotics worth over ₹5.2 crore and rescuing exotic wildlife from illegal trade.
Hydroponic Weed Worth ₹2.87 Crore Seized
On the basis of profiling, Mumbai Customs officers intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok by flight no. 6E1052 on August 9, 2025.
Upon examining the checked-in trolley bag, officers recovered 2.873 kg of suspected Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana), valued at approximately ₹2.87 crore in the illicit market. The contraband was skillfully concealed inside the baggage. The passenger was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
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Passenger Caught with 2.33 kg of Marijuana
In another profiling-based operation on August 10, 2025, Customs officers intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok via flight no. 6E1060.
A detailed baggage search led to the recovery of 2.339 kg of suspected Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana), worth about ₹2.33 crore. The narcotics were hidden inside the passenger’s checked-in trolley bag. The accused was arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985.
Exotic Wildlife Rescued from Smuggler
Acting on intelligence inputs on August 11, 2025, Mumbai Customs Zone–III officers intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok via flight 6E1052. A search of the dark grey trolley bag revealed several live exotic animals, including:
3 Meerkats (Suricata suricatta)
1 Common Blue Tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides)
1 Four Eyed Turtle (Sacalia quadriocellata)
2 Iguanas (Red and Green) (Iguana spp.)
1 Pinktoe Tarantula (Avicularia avicularia) – White & Orange
2 Brachypelma Tarantulas – Grey-Greenish
1 Antilles Pinktoe Tarantula (Caribena versicolor) – Blue
3 Ceram Mangrove Monitor Lizards (Varanus cerambonensis)
Several Tree Crickets (Oecanthinae)
The rescued wildlife species were handed over to the concerned authorities. The passenger was arrested under the Customs Act, 1962, read with the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Officials Commend Vigilance and Coordination
Authorities credited the success to effective profiling, intelligence gathering, and coordinated action between different Customs units. These operations highlight Mumbai Customs’ continued efforts to curb narcotics smuggling and wildlife trafficking through the city’s airport.
