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Key Points

Chennai Customs has made significant breakthroughs in combating smuggling at the international airport. The Air Intelligence Unit successfully intercepted multiple smuggling attempts over the past week, resulting in major seizures. Officers confiscated narcotic drugs, gold, and foreign currency worth over Rs 1 crore in total value. These operations highlight the ongoing efforts to secure India's borders against organized crime networks.

Key Points: Chennai Customs Seizes Rs 52 Lakh Drugs Rs 51 Lakh Cash

  • Customs seized over 9 kilograms of Ganja from two Bangkok flights
  • 594 grams of 24K gold intercepted from Abu Dhabi passenger
  • Foreign and Indian currency worth Rs 51.40 lakh confiscated
  • Two Indian passengers and one receiver arrested in coordinated operations
2 min read

Drugs valued at Rs 52 lakh, Rs 51 lakh cash seized by Customs in Chennai airport

Chennai Airport AIU intercepts smuggling attempts, seizing 9kg ganja, 594g gold, and foreign currency in coordinated operations over one week.

"These operations reaffirmed Chennai Customs' pivotal role in combating cross-border smuggling - Official Statement"

New Delhi, Oct 9

The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Chennai Customs intercepted multiple smuggling attempts over the last one week at the Chennai International Airport and seized contraband valued at Rs 52 lakh along with Rs 51 lakh cash -- Indian and foreign currencies, an official said on Thursday.

The official said the success was achieved through precise passenger profiling and targeted intelligence, with officers successfully foiling attempts to smuggle narcotic drugs, gold, and foreign currency.

The coordinated interceptions resulted in the seizure of over 9 kilograms of Ganja (Cannabis), 594 grams of 24K gold, valued at approximately Rs 52 Lakh, and foreign and Indian currency equivalent to Rs 51.40 lakh, said a statement.

In two separate cases of Ganja smuggling from Bangkok, officers arrested two Indian passengers and a receiver waiting outside the airport.

In the first case on Wednesday, 7.473 kg of Ganja was seized from a passenger who had arrived by Thai Airways. In the second incident on Tuesday, 1.9 kg of Ganja was recovered, leading to two arrests, said the statement.

Other significant seizures included 594 grams of gold on October 6 from a passenger arriving from Abu Dhabi, and Rs 51.40 lakh in foreign and Indian currency on October 4, from a passenger bound for Singapore.

These operations reaffirmed Chennai Customs' pivotal role in combating cross-border smuggling and safeguarding the nation's frontiers against transnational organised crimes, said the statement.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) secured a 15-year jail term for drug trafficker held in Ahmedabad three years ago.

A Special NDPS Court in Gujarat sentenced Samir Jamilbhai Sheikh to 15 years of Rigorous Imprisonment (RI), along with a fine of Rs 2 lakh, under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, for his involvement in this heinous crime against society.

The NCB had seized 143 grams of Mephedrone (MD) and Methaphetamine from the convict’s car in Ahmedabad in 2022.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Rs 51 lakh cash seized along with drugs shows the scale of this illegal trade. Bangkok to Chennai route seems to be active for ganja smuggling. Hope they trace the entire network behind these operations.
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Sarah B
While I appreciate the customs work, I'm concerned about the focus on ganja when more dangerous drugs are circulating. The Ahmedabad case with MD and methamphetamine shows we need to prioritize harder drugs that cause more harm.
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Arjun K
Gold smuggling from Abu Dhabi and currency smuggling to Singapore - these operations show how sophisticated smuggling networks have become. Our customs officers are doing yeoman's service in protecting our borders. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
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Michael C
The passenger profiling and intelligence-based approach seems effective. Hope they continue this momentum and break the entire chain from suppliers to distributors. The receiver arrested outside airport shows they're targeting the full network.
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Kavya N
As a parent, I'm worried about how easily drugs are entering our country. These seizures are just the tip of the iceberg. We need stricter punishment and better rehabilitation programs for addicts. Society has to come together on this issue.

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