Mumbai airport: Man held with hydroponic weed worth Rs 9.6 cr; two held with Rs 1.49 cr gold

Mumbai, Jul 6 (PTI) A man was arrested at Mumbai international airport allegedly with hydroponic weed worth Rs 9.6 crore, a Customs official said on Sunday.

Hydroponic cultivation is the method of growing plants with mineral nutrient solutions in a water-based solvent rather than soil.

"Based on specific intelligence, Mumbai Customs Zone-III personnel the man who arrived from Bangkok on Saturday. A body search and examination of his baggage led to seizure of 9.662 kilograms of hydroponic weed worth Rs 9.6 crore. He had hid the contraband in his checked-in luggage. An NDPS case has been registered," the official said.

Meanwhile, in two separate case, Customs officials intercepted two passengers arriving from Dubai to Mumbai and recovered 24 KT gold dust in wax and gold pieces worth Rs 1.49 crore.

"These weighed 1.65 kilograms. The gold was concealed in the body cavity of the passengers and pockets. They have been arrested under the Customs Act. Further probe into the smuggling network is underway," the official said. PTI DC BNM