New Delhi | Updated November 11, 2025:
Delhi Customs officials at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport have arrested a woman who allegedly tried to smuggle over 11 kilograms of high-grade hydroponic weed into India. The accused, who had just arrived from Bangkok, was caught carrying the narcotics hidden carefully inside her luggage.
Authorities were stunned to discover that the woman was also posing as an officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), using fake credentials to bypass airport checks. Her suspicious behavior during customs screening prompted officers to verify her identity, leading to the startling revelation.
According to officials, the seized substance is a premium strain of hydroponically cultivated cannabis, commonly referred to as “exotic weed,” known for its potency and high street value. The total consignment is estimated to be worth over ₹1 crore in the illegal market.
Customs sources said the woman carried a forged NIA identity card and had altered travel documents to create the appearance of an official assignment. The forged card and other documents have been confiscated for forensic verification.
“During questioning, the passenger admitted to sourcing the contraband from Thailand and concealing it in her baggage,” a senior customs officer confirmed. “Her claim of being an NIA officer was found to be completely fake.”
The woman has been handed over to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for further investigation. Officials are now probing whether she is linked to a larger smuggling syndicate using fake government IDs to evade detection.
This arrest marks another major success in Delhi Customs’ ongoing crackdown on international drug trafficking through South Asian routes, particularly flights from Southeast Asia.
