Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru has seen a series of customs operations involving passengers allegedly carrying prohibited substances and undeclared gold. The latest cases have brought renewed attention to attempts to bring contraband into the country through international flight routes.
According to customs officials, passengers arriving from different foreign destinations were intercepted during checks. The cases involved hydroponic ganja as well as gold ornaments, with arrests made in connection with the seizures. Recent customs reports confirm that passengers arriving from Vietnam, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Abu Dhabi were among those intercepted in separate cases.
In one of the major drug related operations, customs officials reported the seizure of hydroponic ganja from passengers arriving at Bengaluru. The substance was allegedly concealed inside baggage before the passengers attempted to leave the airport.
The scale of the seizures has attracted attention because hydroponic ganja has been involved in several cases at the airport in recent months. In February, Bengaluru Customs reported the seizure of 9.7 kilograms valued at about Rs 3.39 crore from a passenger arriving from Bangkok. Another passenger was also arrested in a separate case involving 1.7 kilograms of hashish.
More recent cases have continued the pattern. Customs officials said a passenger arriving from Vietnam was arrested on September 21 after two kilograms of hydroponic ganja, valued at about Rs 70 lakh, was allegedly found in cabin baggage. On September 19, passengers arriving from Bangkok were also intercepted in separate cases involving hydroponic ganja.
Gold smuggling has also featured in the latest airport operations. Customs officials reported that a passenger arriving from Kuala Lumpur was arrested after 559.4 grams of gold valued at about Rs 81.47 lakh was allegedly concealed in baggage and on the person. Another passenger arriving from Abu Dhabi was intercepted with 642 grams of gold ornaments valued at about Rs 93.78 lakh.
These cases are being treated separately by the authorities. The arrests do not by themselves establish guilt, and the allegations will be subject to the legal process.
The repeated seizures highlight the role of airport customs teams in checking international passengers and baggage for prohibited or undeclared goods. Bengaluru Customs says its airport and air cargo operations are responsible for enforcing customs laws and preventing illegal trade through the airport.
Customs rules make clear that narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are prohibited imports. The department also warns passengers that concealment or non declaration of prohibited or dutiable goods can lead to confiscation, penalties, arrest and prosecution.
Bengaluru airport has witnessed similar cases over the past several months. In June, customs officials seized 10.20 kilograms of hydroponic ganja valued at about Rs 3.57 crore from a passenger arriving from Bangkok. A separate case involving 6.66 kilograms was also reported days earlier.
Earlier in March, two passengers arriving from Bangkok were arrested after customs officers recovered hydroponic ganja from their checked baggage. The combined seizures in those two cases were valued at more than Rs 65 lakh.
The recent series of cases shows how customs authorities are continuing to monitor international arrivals at Kempegowda International Airport. Passenger profiling, baggage screening and further examination are among the measures used to identify suspected attempts to move prohibited or undeclared goods.
For passengers, the cases also underline the importance of understanding customs requirements before travelling internationally. Bengaluru Customs advises passengers carrying dutiable or prohibited goods to follow the applicable declaration procedures rather than attempting to conceal them.
With investigations continuing into the latest cases, customs officials are examining the circumstances surrounding each seizure and the people allegedly involved. Further action will depend on the evidence collected during the investigations and the applicable legal proceedings.
