CHENNAI: The Customs officials, on Tuesday, arrested a passenger at the city airport for smuggling 1.4 kg of high-grade hydroponic ganja valued at approximately Rs 1.4 crore from Thailand.

Based on a tip-off about a private passenger flight from Thailand in the late hours of Tuesday, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) launched an operation.

Upon the flight's arrival, the AIU officials closely monitored the passengers. Their attention was drawn to a 28-year-old man from a North Indian state who had travelled to Thailand as a tourist but was returning to Chennai instead of his home state. The suspicious travel pattern prompted the officers to intercept him for questioning.

A thorough inspection of his luggage revealed several packets of processed food. Upon closer examination, the officers found the high-value hydroponic ganja concealed within these food packets.

The passenger was immediately placed under arrest, and preliminary interrogation revealed that he was allegedly sent to Thailand by a drug smuggling syndicate specifically to carry out the smuggling operation. It is suspected that upon his exit from the airport, the narcotics were to be handed over to another individual.

Further investigation is under way to uncover the syndicate and the receiver of the contraband.