Surat: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Customs Department has seized high-grade hydroponic cannabis worth about ₹1.5 crore from an Air India Express flight arriving from Bangkok at Surat International Airport.

Acting on a tip-off, officials searched flight IX-263 after it landed at 7:40 pm and found 1,656.07 grams of cannabis concealed inside life-jacket pouches beneath seats 12E and 12F. The drugs were vacuum-packed in polythene bags and wrapped in cellophane to avoid detection and suppress odour.

The consignment, consisting of four packets, was confirmed as premium hydroponic cannabis using a field test kit. Customs officials have seized the unclaimed consignment and registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Officials are verifying passenger details to identify who occupied the seats and to trace the intended recipient in Surat. DeshGujarat