54 Arrested in 90 Days: Kolkata Airport Cracks Down on Drug Routes from Thailand and Vietnam
In the first quarter of the 2026–27 financial year, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) under the Office of the Commissioner of Customs (Airport and Air Cargo Complex Commissionerate) at Kolkata airport registered 58 cases of ganja smuggling. A total of 54 individuals—53 Indian nationals and one foreign national—were arrested, and authorities seized approximately 396.745 kilograms of marijuana.
The seizures represent a significant increase in enforcement efforts, with intelligence-led operations targeting international drug transit routes. Investigations revealed that the majority of the intercepted narcotics originated in Bangkok, Thailand, with secondary consignments arriving on flights from Phuket (Thailand), Hanoi (Vietnam), and Singapore.
Customs officials stated that the crackdown is part of a sustained campaign to disrupt smuggling networks that use Kolkata as a transit hub. The data, obtained from official sources, indicates a focused approach on flights from Southeast Asian countries known for cannabis production and trafficking.
No further details about the arrested individuals or the specific methods of concealment have been released, as investigations are ongoing. The authorities have not disclosed whether any major syndicate leaders have been identified.
The rise in seizures aligns with broader national efforts to curb drug trafficking, though Kolkata airport has emerged as a key point of interception. Officials emphasised that passenger profiling and risk analysis have been strengthened to detect such contraband.
