By Mewati Sitaram
Indian Customs officers at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Zone III, carried out multiple interceptions on 4th and 5th October, seizing narcotics, endangered wildlife, and high-value drones.
In one major case, a passenger arriving from Bangkok on flight VZ 760 was found carrying 1.964 kg of suspected Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana), valued at around ₹1.964 crore. The passenger was arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985. Subsequent cases on the same flight recovered 1.93 kg and 1.933 kg of similar contraband, with arrests made under the same provisions.
In another operation, a passenger from Bangkok on flight 6E 1060 was intercepted with endangered wildlife concealed in a trolley bag. The haul included 19 live iguanas, 10 orange bearded dragons, a dead raccoon, a live quince monitor lizard, three squirrels, and two dead Central American squirrel monkeys. The passenger was arrested under the Customs Act, 1962, read with the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Customs officers also recovered drones worth Rs. 32.19 lakh from a passenger arriving from Colombo on flight UL 141. Items included DJI Mavic 4 Pro, DJI Matrice 4T, DJI Inspire 3, and other high-end models.These operations highlight the vigilance of Mumbai Customs in preventing illegal narcotics trafficking, wildlife smuggling, and unregulated imports.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
