JAIPUR: The Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted an international narcotics racket by arresting two persons, including a woman passenger, who flew to Jaipur from Bangkok with hydroponic weed. During inspection at the Jaipur airport, DRI officials discovered 3.7 kg of the substance, estimated at Rs 3.7 crore in international markets.
DRI officials Thursday confirmed the arrests and shared details of their operation that was carried out Tuesday night and Wednesday.
The smuggling ring chose Jaipur airport as their point of entry apparently due to increased security measures at other airports in the country. DRI officials said that the narcotics syndicate for the first time made the carrier and the receiver of the haul travel together on the same flight.
A DRI official said, “Acting on a specific tip-off, the baggage of the woman passenger who deboarded the flight from Bangkok to Jaipur Tuesday night was checked. The weed was concealed in the trolley bag carried by her. During interrogation, it was found that the woman was used as a carrier and the receiver of the drug was also travelling on the same flight. Finally, both of them were arrested Wednesday.”
The woman passenger hails from Gujarat, while the man is from Kerala. Both were produced in a court from where they were sent to jail Wednesday.
Officials confirmed that the contraband was intended for distribution outside Rajasthan. DRI officials noted similar incidents at other Indian airports recently. “It appears that following strictness at other airports, the smugglers were trying to use Jaipur airport as a safe route,” the official added.
Regarding the seized substance, an official explained, “Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in hydroponic weed is 30% to 40% as compared to 3% to 4% in the regular ‘ganja’ available in India. Prices of hydroponic weed are much higher.”
Senior officers have not ruled out the possibility of more seizures and arrests. “We can’t share further details. Our teams are working on other available inputs,” the officer added.