New Delhi

Customs officials at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) here have arrested an Indian passenger for alleged drug smuggling after seizing nearly 10 kilograms of marijuana, valued at close to Rs 10 crore, upon his arrival from Bangkok, officials said on Thursday.

The passenger landed at Terminal 3 on January 26 and was intercepted by customs officers based on spot profiling, an official statement said. He was diverted from the green channel for further scrutiny, following which his baggage was subjected to X-ray screening and a detailed physical examination.

During the search, officials recovered nine one-sided black and one-sided transparent polybags containing multiple layers of vacuum-sealed packets concealed inside a green-coloured handbag.

“On diagnostic testing, the recovered substance prima facie tested positive for ganja/marijuana, and the value of the seized contraband is approximately Rs 9.83 crore,” the statement said.

Following the recovery, the passenger was taken into custody and formally arrested on January 26. The narcotic substance, along with the concealing material, was seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

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Further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the drugs, the intended destination, and whether the accused is part of a larger international drug trafficking network, officials added.