Customs officers arrested an Indian passenger who arrived at Pune International Airport from Bangkok, and a court sent him to judicial custody.[1] The Air Intelligence Unit, with the Airport Branch of the Pune Customs Department, made the seizure on 19 October during an anti-smuggling operation at the airport in Lohegaon.[2] Officers intercepted him after advanced passenger profiling and a routine X-ray of his check-in baggage.[2]

From him they seized 1.265 kilograms of hydroponic ganja, which customs valued at 44 lakh 27 thousand rupees.[1] The Indian Express reported the same seizure as 1.265 kg, with an estimated illicit-market value of Rs 44.27 lakh.[2] The cannabis had been hidden in specially made false compartments in the lining of his bag.[1] A customs officer said two rectangular, slab-shaped, vacuum-sealed packets of a yellowish-green dried floral substance were recovered from the inner lining of a black trolley bag.[2] A preliminary field test identified the substance as high-grade marijuana, also known as hydroponic weed.[2]

An offence was registered against him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and he was arrested.[2] Further investigation was under way to trace the alleged smuggling network and identify others involved in the supply chain.[2]