Jaipur, January 30, 2026: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) carried out a major anti-narcotics operation at Jaipur International Airport on Thursday, seizing 17.6 kilograms of hydroponically cultivated ganja, an advanced form of cannabis, officials said. A passenger was arrested in connection with the seizure.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, DRI officials intercepted a passenger who had arrived on an Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi and conducted a detailed examination of his luggage. Authorities recovered the hydroponic ganja concealed inside his trolley bag.
The contraband, estimated to have an international market value of around ₹6.5 crore, is believed to have been trafficked from Bangkok via Abu Dhabi to Jaipur, according to preliminary investigations by customs and DRI officials.
The arrested individual has been identified as a resident of Hyderabad, and is suspected of being part of a larger international drug trafficking syndicate. He has been booked under various provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and remanded to judicial custody following his production before a court.
Senior DRI officials described the operation as a significant success in the ongoing fight against international narcotics smuggling through Indian air cargo and passenger channels. Investigations are continuing to trace the supply chain, including potential financiers and recipients of the seized narcotics both within India and abroad.
Hydroponic ganja, grown using nutrient-enriched water without soil, is known for its higher potency and international demand, making it a lucrative item for traffickers.