Chennai Customs busts drug syndicate, seizes ganja from air passengers

Sat Feb 07 09:05:31 UTC 2026: ### Chennai Airport Busts Multiple Ganja Smuggling Operations

The Story:
Chennai Customs authorities have disrupted multiple drug smuggling operations at Chennai International Airport, seizing significant quantities of ganja in two separate incidents. The first bust occurred on January 31, 2026, when officers intercepted two passengers arriving from Hanoi via Kuala Lumpur. Their baggage contained 11 kg of ganja, and subsequent investigations led to the arrest of a co-passenger with an additional 4 kg of ganja and the apprehension of the intended receiver in Thiruvananthapuram on February 3. The second incident took place on February 5, 2026, involving two passengers arriving from Bangkok. Customs officials discovered 10 kg of ganja concealed within food items in their luggage.

Key Points:

• January 31, 2026: Two passengers arriving from Hanoi via Kuala Lumpur were intercepted with 11 kg of ganja.
• A co-passenger was arrested with an additional 4 kg of ganja.
• The intended receiver was arrested in Thiruvananthapuram on February 3, 2026.
• February 5, 2026: Two passengers arriving from Bangkok were found with 10 kg of ganja concealed in food items.
• All individuals involved have been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
• The operations involved Malaysian Airways and Thai Airways flights.

Critical Analysis (Optional):
This section will analyze WHY these events are happening ONLY if the provided context reveals significant patterns or strategic depth. Since the provided context do not reveal any strategic patterns in this event, this section will be skipped.

Key Takeaways:

• Chennai Airport remains a significant point of entry for drug smuggling operations.
• Smugglers are employing various methods to conceal drugs, including using food items and baggage concealment.
• International collaboration between Customs, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and local police is crucial in combating drug trafficking.
• The targeted operations and spot profiling methods are proving effective in intercepting drug carriers.

Impact Analysis (Optional):
This section will provide a structured explanation of the significance and future impact ONLY if the event series has long-term implications. Since there is no evident long-term impacts revealed in the provided context, this section will be skipped.

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