Chennai: In the second such incident in a week, customs officials at Chennai airport foiled an attempt to smuggle hydroponic ganja into the country and arrested a passenger with 15kg of the drug, valued at ₹15 crore.Customs officials intercepted an Indian after he arrived from Bangkok on Friday and attempted to exit through the green channel. They searched him and his baggage and found 26 airtight sachets containing dried greenish-brown flowering and fruiting tops of a plant variety, wrapped in covers of a Thai chips brand.A field test confirmed the substance as hydroponic ganja. Inquiries revealed that an agent of a smuggling cartel had approached the passenger and offered him a week-long free trip to Thailand on the condition that he bring back contraband provided to him in Bangkok. He was arrested and remanded.On Sept 26, Customs officials at Chennai airport seized 3.4 kg of hydroponic ganja, valued at ₹3.4 crore in the illicit market, from an Indian woman passenger who arrived from Kuala Lumpur.Since Aug, Customs officials at the airport have foiled at least eight attempts to smuggle hydroponic ganja.
