Mumbai: A former beauty pageant contestant from Kerala has been arrested by Customs authorities after allegedly being caught with hydroponic cannabis worth ₹11.82 crore at Mumbai’s international airport. Investigators are now probing whether the case is linked to a larger international narcotics trafficking network.
The accused, identified as Harsha Sunny, was intercepted at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after arriving from Bangkok.
Customs intercepts passenger after arrival from Bangkok
According to officials, the 28-year-old arrived in Mumbai on the night of June 10-11 aboard an Air India flight from Bangkok.
Based on passenger profiling and surveillance inputs, Customs officers reportedly flagged her for further examination after finding certain aspects of her travel suspicious.
Authorities said she was intercepted at around 4 am and subjected to detailed checks under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act).
Over 11 kg of suspected hydroponic cannabis seized
Officials stated that while a personal search did not result in the recovery of any prohibited substances, a detailed inspection of her baggage led to a significant seizure.
During the examination, Customs officers allegedly discovered 12 vacuum-sealed packets concealed inside a trolley bag. The packets reportedly contained green flowering and fruiting tops of the cannabis plant, suspected to be hydroponic marijuana, commonly known as weed or ganja.
Authorities said the substance tested positive during a preliminary examination using an NDPS field testing kit.
The total quantity recovered was reported to be more than 11 kilograms, with an estimated market value of approximately ₹11.82 crore.
Arrest and judicial custody
Following the seizure, Customs officials arrested Harsha Sunny under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act.
She was subsequently produced before a court in Mumbai, which remanded her to judicial custody.
Investigators informed the court that the probe remains at a preliminary stage and that further inquiries are underway to establish the full circumstances of the alleged smuggling attempt.
Officials are also examining whether other individuals may have been involved in the operation.
Probe focuses on possible international network
Authorities suspect the case could be linked to a broader drug trafficking syndicate operating across international borders.
As part of the investigation, officials are expected to scrutinise the accused’s travel records, electronic devices, communication history and financial transactions.
Investigators are attempting to determine whether the alleged transportation of narcotics was an isolated incident or part of a larger organised network involved in smuggling contraband into India.
The inquiry will also examine potential links to overseas suppliers and domestic distribution channels.
Accused claims she was unaware of bag contents
According to reports, Harsha Sunny has denied any knowledge of the alleged narcotics found in the baggage.
She reportedly told investigators that she had befriended an individual during her trip to Thailand and was later persuaded to carry the luggage back to India.
Her defence has suggested that she may have unknowingly acted as a courier and could have been exploited by organised traffickers.
However, Customs authorities have not commented on these claims and continue to investigate all aspects of the case.
Rising concern over hydroponic cannabis smuggling
The seizure highlights growing concerns among law enforcement agencies over the increasing smuggling of hydroponic cannabis into India through international airports.
Hydroponic marijuana is often cultivated using advanced indoor farming techniques and commands significantly higher prices than conventional cannabis due to its potency and quality.
Authorities have recently intensified surveillance at major airports as traffickers increasingly use passengers and couriers to transport narcotics across borders.
Conclusion
The arrest of former Mrs Kerala runner-up Harsha Sunny in connection with the alleged seizure of hydroponic cannabis worth ₹11.82 crore has drawn attention to the growing challenge of international drug trafficking. While the accused claims she was unaware of the contents of the luggage, Customs authorities are continuing their investigation to determine whether the case is linked to a larger smuggling network.