Hydroponic cannabis worth Rs 1.85 crore seized at Bhubaneswar airport

Bhubaneswar: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Customs officials have seized 5.291 kg of hydroponic cannabis, estimated to be worth around Rs 1.85 crore in the international market, from four passengers arriving from Bangkok at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar.

Acting on specific intelligence, officers of the DRI’s Bhubaneswar Regional Unit intercepted the four passengers on October 17, 2026, and conducted searches in coordination with Customs officials.

During the examination of the checked-in baggage of three passengers, officials detected suspicious packets concealed in specially designed hidden compartments. After opening the compartments with hand tools, they recovered six packets containing 4.877 kg of green-coloured substance.

The baggage of the fourth passenger initially showed no suspicious concealment. However, during a personal search, DRI officials noticed a tin container labelled as dog food. The passenger failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the container, raising suspicion.

Officials then sought the assistance of ‘Rubel’, a detector dog belonging to the Indian Customs K-9 squad deployed at the airport. With the help of a Customs K-9 handler, Rubel was first exposed to a suspected narcotics packet recovered from another passenger’s baggage and subsequently asked to examine the dog-food container.

The detector dog gave a positive indication, suggesting that the container carried a substance with a scent similar to the suspected narcotics. Following the indication, DRI officials opened the tin and recovered another 0.414 kg of green-coloured substance concealed inside it.

The seized substances were tested using a narcotic drug detection kit, which confirmed them to be cannabis, also known as marijuana. The total quantity seized from the four passengers stood at 5.291 kg.

The passengers, along with the seized contraband, were handed over to the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Bhubaneswar Customs for further legal action. Further investigation into the case is underway.