Gujarat : Rs.8 Crore Hydroponic Weed Seized at Ahmedabad Airport

Ahmedabad | Gujarat —  The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPI) has once again come under the scanner after two passengers arriving from Hanoi, Vietnam were caught with 8.4 kilograms of hydroponic weed, valued at over ₹8 crore in the international market.

Customs officers, acting on suspicion, intercepted the duo and conducted detailed baggage checks. Inside their luggage, officers found 16 sealed vacuum bags stuffed with cannabis. Both passengers were immediately taken into custody, and the narcotics were seized under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

“This is not an isolated case. Drug traffickers are constantly changing their routes and methods to evade detection. Our vigilance has to be one step ahead,” said a senior customs officer involved in the operation.

From Thailand to Vietnam: Changing Trafficking Routes

Officials have observed a shift in drug trafficking patterns at Ahmedabad airport. Until recently, consignments were mostly routed through Thailand, but now Vietnam has emerged as a key origin point.

“In the last three months alone, cannabis worth over ₹250 crore has been seized at SVPI. The shift from Thailand to Vietnam shows how international cartels are adapting to enforcement pressure,” an official added.

Repeat Seizures Highlight Growing Menace

Last month, customs officials intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok on an Air Asia flight with 4 kg of hydroponic marijuana, valued at more than ₹4 crore. The frequent seizures highlight Ahmedabad’s growing vulnerability as a transit hub for international narcotics trade.

Anti-narcotics experts warn that the scale and frequency of seizures point to a larger network. “Hydroponic weed is cultivated in controlled environments and fetches a much higher price than regular cannabis. Its rising presence in India shows organized syndicates are targeting new markets,” said a retired narcotics officer.

A Wake-Up Call for Security Agencies

The series of high-value seizures has sparked concern over SVPI’s security protocols. Experts believe traffickers consider the airport a “soft target” compared to larger metros.

“The fact that drugs worth hundreds of crores have been caught in such a short span should ring alarm bells. This is not just about customs—it’s about aviation security and intelligence coordination,” the officer added.