Mumbai: The Airport Customs officials in two separate cases have arrested three women on Tuesday for allegedly smuggling Hydroponic Weed worth over Rs 8 crore. The women had agreed to smuggle contraband in lieu of a free trip to Bangkok, officials said.
In the first case, the Customs officials intercepted two women identified as Priyanka Kumar (44) from Delhi and Ishika Kaltari (19) from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh after they arrived from Bangkok on Monday.
The Customs officials recovered and seized 6.7 kg of Hydroponic Weed valued at Rs 6.7 crore from them. They admitted that they had committed the act in lieu of a free trip to Bangkok.
In the second case, Airport Customs officials apprehended one Asmabanu Rajjab from Surat, Gujarat after she arrived from Bangkok. The Customs officials recovered and seized 1.8 kg of Hydroponic Weed worth Rs 1.8 crore from her possession.
Asmabanu told Customs officials that earlier was working in a beauty parlour and is currently not working anywhere due to her health issues. Her husband is an Auto Rikshaw driver and earns around Rs 30000 monthly.
"On 28.05.2025, the accused had admittedly gone to Bangkok from Surat Airport on the instructions of her handler, Buran. He told her that she has to carry two packets filled with marijuana (ganja) and deliver it to someone at Surat. Buran, further, instructed her to call him once she reaches at Surat and then a person will come to collect the packets from her. Buran had not provided her with the details of the person whom she had to deliver the said packets. He promised to pay her Rs 15,000 along with all travel expenses for delivering them. Accordingly, Asmabanu received trolley bag containing hydroponic weeds. The accused has claimed that she aided and abetted in the smuggling of Hydroponic Weed for the first time," said a Customs official.
