CHENNAI: Customs officials seized 1.5 kg of high-grade hydroponic ganja, which was smuggled from Thailand and arrested a passenger at Chennai airport on Friday.

Officials had been monitoring passengers arriving from Bangkok on Friday night. They noticed a 30-year-old man from Chennai who had returned from a tourist trip to Thailand.

After completing immigration formalities, he collected his suitcase from the conveyor belt and attempted to leave through the Green Channel, claiming that he had no dutiable goods to declare. However, Customs officers grew suspicious of his movements and stopped him for questioning.

As he gave evasive answers, he was taken to the Customs office inside the airport for further examination. When officers searched his suitcase, they found 10 packets concealed inside. Upon opening them, they discovered approximately 1.5 kg of high-grade hydroponic ganja.

The consignment was seized, and the passenger was arrested. During interrogation, officials found that an international drug trafficking network had lured the man with the promise of a free trip abroad. He was sent from Chennai to Thailand and asked to return the following day with a suitcase containing the contraband.

The passenger, who had travelled abroad expecting a free flight, has now landed in a drug smuggling case. Customs officials have registered a case and are investigating to identify the members of the international drug trafficking network who recruited him for the operation.