Pune Customs Bust Major Drug Racket, Seize Hydroponic Weed Worth Rs 26.8 Crore

In a significant anti-narcotics operation, Pune Customs officials have seized 76.58 kg of hydroponic marijuana valued at around ₹26.80 crore at the Air Cargo Complex of Pune International Airport. One person has been arrested in connection with the case.

Officials said the drugs were concealed in an import consignment that arrived from Thailand and was declared as food items of Chinese origin. The shipment was labelled as ‘Mandarin Orange Sacs’ and packed in white thermocol boxes.

During routine scanning, Customs officers noticed discrepancies in the images, which did not match the nature of the declared goods. Suspecting foul play, they opened one of the boxes and discovered sealed tin cans inside.

On opening the cans, officers initially found a salt-like white granular substance. However, a detailed examination revealed vacuum-sealed transparent plastic packets hidden within, containing hydroponic cannabis.

Following this, the entire consignment was inspected, leading to the recovery of 76.58 kg of hydroponic weed. The seized narcotics are estimated to be worth ₹26.80 crore in the illegal market.

Customs officials have launched further investigations to uncover the larger smuggling network involved in the operation.