Kolkata: A passenger arriving from Bangkok, was arrested on Thursday by the customs officials, for carrying hydroponic ganja worth Rs 3.5 crore. Airport officials said that the marijuana was ingeniously concealed inside decorative items. The passenger was intercepted after he crossed the Green Channel and was heading towards the exit.
Officials said the passenger was carrying two checked-in brown carton boxes and a black handbag. A thorough search of his baggage led to the recovery of hydroponic marijuana weighing around 10 kg. "The contraband was concealed in 20 human skull-shaped plastic showpiece items, each designed to be airtight to evade detection. The concealment method was highly sophisticated, indicating a well-planned smuggling attempt," an officer said.
The passenger was arrested under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act and later produced before a court in Barasat, which denied him bail and remanded him to judicial custody. Customs officials said further investigation is underway to trace the larger network behind the consignment and identify other members involved in the trafficking operation, including the alleged kingpin.
Hydroponic ganja, often called "hydro weed," is a high-grade form of cannabis grown using a water-based, nutrient-rich solution instead of soil. This controlled cultivation method enhances potency, purity and appearance, making it significantly stronger than traditionally grown cannabis.
"Unlike conventional ganja cultivated in open fields, hydroponic cannabis is typically grown indoors under artificial lighting, allowing precise control over temperature, nutrients and humidity. As a result, it contains higher levels of THC (the psychoactive compound), making it more addictive and far more expensive in the illegal market," said an officer.
In India, hydroponic ganja is increasingly being smuggled through international routes, particularly from Southeast Asian hubs like Bangkok. Recent seizures at airports reveal a clear pattern: traffickers conceal the drug in airtight packets inside check-in baggage, often carried by passengers acting as mules. "Hydroponic weed fetches extremely high prices — running into several lakhs per kilogram — due to its superior quality and rising demand among urban consumers. Compared to traditional ganja, it offers higher profit margins with relatively smaller quantities," the officer added.