MUMBAI, Aug 4 — A man was arrested at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle nearly 15 kg of hydroponic marijuana disguised as a diplomatic consignment, Mumbai Customs officials said on Sunday.
The traveller, who had landed from Bangkok, was intercepted during a routine baggage check. Officials recovered 14.73 kg of suspected hydroponic weed, valued at approximately ₹14.73 crore in the illicit market.
What alarmed investigators was the method of concealment: the narcotics were packed in envelopes marked as a ‘Diplomatic Pouch of Ministry of External Affairs’, complete with seals resembling those used by the MEA. The suspect also carried forged documents, including “top secret mission” reports, intended to mislead authorities by suggesting the contents were linked to national security.
“The accused falsely declared the baggage as confidential diplomatic cargo,” a Customs official said, adding that the operation was a serious attempt to exploit diplomatic protocols for smuggling.
A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and further investigations are underway to determine if a larger network is involved.
This incident marks yet another instance of smugglers adopting elaborate ruses to bypass airport security and customs scrutiny—an ongoing challenge for law enforcement authorities at international gateways.
