Kochi, Oct 5: Customs officials at Kochi’s international airport on Sunday seized six kilograms of hybrid ganja from a fashion designer, valued at around Rs 6 crore in underground markets. The accused, identified as 29-year-old Abdul Jaleel Jasmal from Kodungalloor, was intercepted by the Air Intelligence Unit in the early hours after arriving on a flight from Bangkok.
Officials said six packets of hybrid ganja were recovered from Jasmal’s handbag. Preliminary investigations indicate that he had been hired by a narcotics gang to smuggle the contraband. “He was reportedly paid Rs 1 lakh and provided with a flight ticket for the operation,” a customs official said.
A detailed probe is underway to trace the network behind the smuggling attempt and identify other individuals involved, authorities added.
