Mumbai Customs Busts Smuggling Ring - 14 Crore Ganja and Gold Seized!

Mumbai Customs Busts Smuggling Ring - 14 Crore Ganja and Gold Seized!

In a high-profile strike against smuggling activities, the customs department at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport seized a significant quantity of hydroponic ganja as well as gold between November 6 and 9. In a total of five separate operations, customs officials were able to seize drugs worth 14 crore rupees (approx. 1.7 million euros). Passengers from Bangkok, Phuket and Nairobi were the focus of the investigations, which the customs authorities carried out intensively.

The first arrest came on November 6 when a passenger from Bangkok was discovered with 2.87 kg of hydroponic cannabis worth Rs 2.87 crore. The following day, November 7, two passengers from Phuket were nabbed with nearly 4 kg of ganja, worth about Rs 4.2 crore. A third of this tally was recovered several days later among passengers from Bangkok and Nairobi, with an additional 358 grams of 22-carat gold bars identified, estimated to be worth Rs 3.7 lakh. A total of 13 kg and 84 g of hydroponic ganja as well as 358 g of gold were seized.

Smuggling network in focus

Customs officials have stressed that they are maintaining strict surveillance measures at the airport to consistently crack down on attempts to smuggle drugs or gold. Hydroponic cannabis, which is grown without soil in a nutrient-rich water solution, has become very popular and is considered a more potent form of ganja. This form of drug cultivation is particularly common in Thailand, the first Asian country to widely legalize cannabis.

In Thailand, the legalization of the drug about three years ago led to a real boom in cannabis tourism. According to estimates, there are around 18,000 cannabis shops in the country that generate annual revenue of around one billion euros. But critics, including the British government, raise concerns about increased smuggling by tourists and report a rise in mental health problems and an increase in addicts in the population.

What's next?

In view of the increasing consumption rate and the associated health risks, the Thai government plans to make cannabis only available for medical purposes by prescription in the future. Sellers and shop owners are already shocked by these possible changes that could impact the cannabis tourism boom. The impact on the tourism sector remains to be seen, but reports show that some tourists are annoyed by the cannabis hype.

In the meantime, the customs authorities in Mumbai intend to continue their relentless crackdown on drug trafficking and related smuggling activities. The arrest and seizure of drugs and gold is a sign that authorities are keeping a close eye on the country's borders.

The dynamics surrounding the drug market are particularly impressive in Thailand, where social problems and health challenges have increased following legalization. Communities in Thailand are faced with the challenge of finding the balance between economic benefit and social integrity.