A 62-year-old Malaysian man has been arrested by customs authorities in Chennai, India, after allegedly attempting to smuggle 3.452kg of hydroponic cannabis worth about 1.20 crore, or RM520,000, into the country.
According to United News of India (UNI), the man arrived at Chennai’s Anna International Airport from Kuala Lumpur on Aug 31 before attempting to leave through the Green Channel without declaring any goods to customs.
His movements reportedly raised the suspicions of officers from the Chennai Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU), who selected him for further inspection based on passenger profiling.
A search of his checked luggage uncovered four airtight transparent packets concealed inside a false compartment at the bottom of the bag.
The packets contained a greenish-brown dried substance believed to be hydroponic cannabis, with a net weight of 3,452 grammes.
A drug detection kit subsequently tested the substance positive for cannabis.
The drugs were seized under India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985, while the suspect was arrested under the relevant provisions of Indian law.
He has since been remanded in judicial custody as authorities investigate whether he is linked to a wider international drug trafficking network.
The case marks the second incident within a month involving Malaysians arrested in Chennai for allegedly carrying hydroponic cannabis.
On Aug 8, a 54-year-old Malaysian man from Perak was arrested in Chennai after authorities found 4.033kg of hydroponic cannabis in his possession following his arrival from Bangkok.
Indian Customs officially confirmed that case, while Bukit Aman said the drugs were believed to have been sourced from Thailand.
