2 weeks ago
Mumbai Customs Arrest Two in 14 Kg Hydroponic Weed Smuggling
Customs officers at an airport in Mumbai stopped two passengers who had just arrived on a flight from Bangkok.
The passengers were a 26-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man who live in Mumbai.
In their trolley bag, officers found seven sealed plastic packets.
The packets contained a drug called hydroponic weed, which is a type of cannabis.
All together, the drugs weighed 14 kilograms.
The officers said the drugs are worth about 4.91 crore rupees, which is a huge amount of money.
This drug is against the law in India under a law called the NDPS Act.
The two passengers were arrested for allegedly smuggling the drugs.
They admitted to officers that they knew about the drugs and that they had hidden them.
The investigation is still in its early stages, and officers are looking for other people who may have been involved.
Mumbai Airport Customs arrested Mumbai residents Rushali Bagul (26) and Azhar Hussain (34) after they arrived from Bangkok Don Mueang at CSMIA.
Officials seized 14 kg of hydroponic weed valued at around Rs 4.91 crore, found in seven vacuum-sealed plastic packets in their trolley bag.
The drugs were allegedly sourced from Bangkok and are a narcotic substance under the NDPS Act.
Customs also seized the passengers' passports, boarding passes and two mobile phones.
The investigation is at a preliminary stage, with efforts underway to identify and apprehend other key associates of the accused.
- Who
- Mumbai Airport Customs officials arrested Mumbai residents Rushali Bagul (26) and Azhar Hussain (34).
- What
- The two passengers were arrested for allegedly smuggling 14 kg of hydroponic weed worth about Rs 4.91 crore in seven vacuum-sealed packets.
- Where
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai; the drugs were sourced from Bangkok Don Mueang.
- When
- Reported on August 13, 2026, following their arrival in a recently intercepted flight from Bangkok.
- Why
- The passengers allegedly smuggled a narcotic substance under the NDPS Act and admitted knowledge, possession, concealment and non-declaration of the seized goods.
Key facts
- Arrested Persons
- Rushali Bagul (26) and Azhar Hussain (34)
- Quantity Seized
- 14 kg of hydroponic weed
- Estimated Value
- Around Rs 4.91 crore
- Packaging
- Seven vacuum-sealed plastic packets
- Source Location
- Bangkok Don Mueang
- Seizure Location
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
- Legal Basis
- Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act
- Investigation Status
- Preliminary stage; other associates yet to be traced
Quotes
Customs official
Mumbai Airport Customs officer
“The preliminary investigation carried out so far and the statements given by the respondents disclose the involvement of other persons who are yet to be traced. The investigation in the case is at a very preliminary stage and efforts are being made to identify and apprehend key associates of the accused.”
freepressjournal.in









