Surat: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs at Surat International Airport seized 3.7 kg of hydroponic ganja worth approximately ₹3.75 crore from a Bangkok–Surat flight on Monday.

Officials said the contraband was discovered unclaimed inside the aircraft, marking the second significant drug seizure at the airport within a span of three days. Following the plane’s arrival, the AIU team carried out a thorough cabin inspection and noticed suspicious pouches hidden near the safety jackets beneath three seats. Upon opening them, officers recovered seven vacuum-sealed plastic packets wrapped in brown adhesive tape.

Laboratory testing later confirmed the substance to be marijuana (hydroponic ganja). As no claimant came forward, the narcotics were seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

In a related operation on Sunday, the AIU arrested four individuals and confiscated hydroponic ganja valued at nearly ₹6 crore. The accused were identified as Pravin Karamvir, Vikram Bhaukal, Balvir Singh, and Pradip Suraj Bhan from Haryana, along with Anshul Gupta from Uttar Pradesh.

Customs officials noted that in that case too, the drugs were found unclaimed on a flight that arrived on Saturday, concealed near the seats occupied by the suspects. The packets in both incidents were packed in a similar vacuum-sealed manner, allowing compact storage and easier concealment. DeshGujarat