Bhubaneswar: In a major anti-drug operation at the city airport, officials seized around 11 kilograms of high-grade hydroponic weed valued at nearly Rs 4 crore from two passengers who had allegedly smuggled the contraband from Bangkok.

The seizure was made during a joint operation conducted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar.

According to officials, the accused arrived in Bhubaneswar on IndiGo flight 6E-1066 from Bangkok at around 5:30 am on Tuesday. The narcotic substance was reportedly concealed inside luggage bags.

Hydroponic cannabis worth Rs 40 lakh per kg confiscated

Sources said the seized hydroponic weed, a premium and highly potent variety of cannabis, has an estimated black-market value of nearly Rs 40 lakh per kilogram. The total consignment could have fetched over Rs 4 crore in the illegal drug market.

Two youths from Tamil Nadu have been detained and are being questioned by investigating agencies to ascertain the source of the consignment and its intended delivery network in India.

Officials suspect the seizure may be linked to an interstate or international narcotics trafficking racket. Further investigation is underway to identify other persons involved in the smuggling network.

The latest seizure has raised concerns over increasing attempts to use Bhubaneswar airport as a transit point for international drug trafficking operations.