Rs 40 Crore Ganja Seized at Hyderabad Airport, Woman Arrested in Drug Bust

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In a major drug bust, authorities at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport seized a massive quantity of ganja (cannabis) worth approximately Rs 40 crore (around $5 million) and arrested a woman in connection with the illicit trafficking. The operation took place on Thursday, after the woman, identified as 32-year-old Meena Kumari, was found attempting to smuggle nearly 800 kilograms of the drug concealed in her luggage.

According to the Customs Department, the woman had arrived at the airport from Chennai on a domestic flight and was scheduled to board an international flight. Suspicious of her behavior and travel documents, officials decided to conduct a thorough check of her luggage, leading to the discovery of the large cache of ganja.

The drug, which was packed in multiple bundles and hidden in specially designed compartments, was intended to be shipped overseas, officials said. Authorities suspect that the woman was part of a larger drug trafficking syndicate operating across various parts of the country, with an international network for distribution.

“Her arrest marks a significant victory in our efforts to combat drug trafficking. The seized ganja is one of the largest consignments we’ve encountered this year,” said a senior official from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “We are now investigating her connections and the source of the drugs, as well as any potential collaborators in both India and abroad.”

The seizure comes amid growing concerns over the increasing volume of drug trafficking through India’s airports, with international drug cartels increasingly using the country as a transit point. Officials have noted that Hyderabad, with its strategic location and busy international flights, has become a hotspot for such activities.

This incident follows a series of similar busts across Indian airports, prompting calls for heightened security measures and more rigorous screening protocols. Law enforcement agencies are stepping up efforts to crack down on the growing trade of illegal drugs, which poses serious health risks to communities and contributes to organized crime.

The woman, currently in police custody, is facing charges of drug trafficking under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the case and plan to interrogate her further to uncover more details about the drug syndicate she was reportedly linked to.

As authorities continue to unravel the network behind this smuggling operation, experts warn that this case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by illegal narcotics trafficking and the importance of vigilant airport security in curbing such crimes.