Mumbai Customs Seize Hydroponic Weed and Gold Dust Worth Crores

Customs officials at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai have seized large quantities of hydroponic weed and gold dust, valued at approximately Rs 94 lakh and Rs 2.78 crore, respectively. In separate incidents, a passenger and an airline official were arrested for attempting to smuggle the contraband. The hydroponic weed, also known as hydro ganja, was concealed in vacuum-sealed plastic packets and kept in a trolley bag, while the gold dust was hidden in innerwear and a specially designed belt. The Customs Department is currently reviewing the international travel history of the arrested individuals to ascertain if they had traveled abroad for the purpose of smuggling.

Key Takeaways:

• The Mumbai Customs officials seized approximately 947 grams of hydroponic weed worth Rs 94 lakh, which was concealed in vacuum-sealed plastic packets and kept in a trolley bag.
• The hydroponic weed was found to be mixed with marijuana, which has an illicit market value of approximately Rs 14.5 crore.
• The gold dust, weighing around 3,020 grams, was found hidden in innerwear and a specially designed belt, valued at Rs 2.78 crore.
• The passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, while the airline official was arrested under the Customs Act, 1962.
• The Customs Department is reviewing the international travel history of the arrested individuals to ascertain if they had traveled abroad for the purpose of smuggling.

Statistics:

• 947 grams of hydroponic weed was seized, worth approximately Rs 94 lakh.
• 3,020 grams of gold dust was seized, valued at Rs 2.78 crore.
• The hydroponic weed was found to have an illicit market value of approximately Rs 14.5 crore.

Sources:

• IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd. (2025)
• Contify.com