Customs officers arrested four young residents of Surat at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle hydroponic cannabis from Bangkok.[1] The four were identified as Manavkumar Dilip Pipliya, Ravibhai Dilip Pipliya, Jigar Naresh Panchani and Brijesh Sanjay Mendapara.[2] A second account gives the same four names in shorter form as Manavkumar Pipaliya, Ravi Pipaliya, Jigar Panchani and Brijesh Mendpara, all residents of Surat.[1] A case was registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.[1] The four accused were remanded to custody.[1]
Officers found 42 transparent plastic packets containing hydroponic cannabis hidden inside multiple trolley bags stuffed with clothes and personal belongings.[1] Customs seized 40 kilograms of hydroponic marijuana that the youths attempted to smuggle from Bangkok.[2] A field testing kit confirmed the substance as hydroponic cannabis, a high-potency variant of marijuana.[1] Customs estimated the haul, weighing over 40 kg, to be worth Rs 40 crore in the illegal drug market.[1]
All four had flown to Bangkok on January 27 and returned to India on January 30.[2] Customs officers grew suspicious of the youths’ travel timing and purpose before searching their baggage.[2] Preliminary investigations indicate they were acting as drug couriers for an international syndicate operating between Bangkok and India.[1] Authorities said they were working to track down the mastermind behind the operation, which could be linked to a global network.[2]
