KUALA LUMPUR: A 62-year-old Malaysian man has been arrested by Indian Customs authorities in Chennai for allegedly attempting to smuggle 3.45kg of hydroponic cannabis worth approximately RM520,000 into the country on Monday (Aug 31).
According to United News of India (UNI), the suspect arrived at Anna International Airport in Chennai from Kuala Lumpur before attempting to leave through the Green Channel without making any declaration to Customs authorities.
He was detained after officers from the Chennai Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU), who were conducting passenger profiling, became suspicious of his movements.
A subsequent inspection of his checked luggage uncovered four airtight transparent packets concealed in a false compartment at the bottom of the suitcase.
The packets contained a greenish-brown dried substance suspected to be hydroponic cannabis, weighing 3,452g.
A drug detection kit later tested positive for cannabis, following which the substance was seized under India's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985.
The suspect was arrested under the relevant provisions of the law and remanded in judicial custody, while investigations are ongoing to determine whether he was linked to a wider international drug trafficking network.
The case is the latest involving Malaysians arrested in Chennai for allegedly carrying hydroponic cannabis.
Previously on Aug 8, a 54-year-old Malaysian man from Perak was arrested in Chennai with 4.03kg of hydroponic cannabis after arriving from Bangkok.
Indian Customs authorities officially confirmed the case, while Bukit Aman said the drugs were believed to have been sourced from Thailand.
