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Delhi Customs has seized over 11 kg of high-grade hydroponic cannabis from an Indian female passenger arriving from Bangkok who allegedly tried to impersonate an officer. National Investigation Agency To avoid (NIA) investigation.
Confirming the development to CNBC-TV18, Delhi Customs said the seizure took place at Indira Gandhi International Airport on November 8, 2025, after officials acted on profiling-based intelligence. The passenger was kept under strict surveillance upon arrival from Bangkok, a known transit point in several drug trafficking routes into India.
“During surveillance, the woman was seen entering the toilet and changing from a black jacket to a gray jacket bearing the national emblem and ‘National Investigation Agency (NIA)’ inscription,” Delhi Customs told CNBC-TV18. “The change in attire appears to be an attempt to impersonate a government official and bypass customs checks.”
The passenger was stopped after crossing the Green Channel, which was for passengers without dutiable luggage. During X-ray screening, officials found suspicious photographs in his luggage. Delhi Customs said that when interrogated, the woman misidentified herself as an NIA officer and produced an identity card which appeared to be fake.
A detailed search led to the recovery of 20 vacuum-sealed packets of hydroponic weed weighing 11.35 kg from his luggage. The bag itself had the NIA logo on it.
“An NIA team was called to verify her credentials, and it was confirmed that she is not associated with the agency in any capacity,” Delhi Customs told CNBC-TV18.
Hydroponic cannabis, a premium variety cultivated using nutrient-rich, water-based systems, fetches significantly higher prices in illicit markets due to its potency and purity. Officials estimate that the value of the seized consignment could be several crores of rupees.
Delhi Customs said the case underlines the growing trend of smugglers using innovative concealment methods and official impersonation to smuggle high-value contraband into India. The incident also reflects increased vigilance and profiling-based enforcement at airports following a series of high-value drug seizures this year.
The Delhi Customs Department said that legal proceedings have been initiated under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Customs Act. The woman has been taken into custody, and further investigation is underway to trace the source and intended recipients of the banned substance.
“The use of fake government insignia and impersonation of enforcement agencies shows a new level of audacity among smugglers,” Delhi Customs said. He said that the department is focused on dismantling such smuggling networks operating between South East Asia and India.
Delhi Customs has made several high-value seizures in recent months, including consignments of gold, narcotics and foreign currency. The latest case highlights both the growing complexity of smuggling networks and the increased enforcement efforts at India’s busiest international airport.
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