Mumbai: In three separate cases, the Mumbai Airport Customs officials have arrested five persons, including two women for allegedly smuggling Hydroponic Weed worth Rs 30 crore.

In the first case, Customs officers intercepted two passengers together Jacob Circle resident Laxman Mahadik (59) and Nalasopara resident Harsha Chheda (47) on the basis of specific intelligence that they might be carrying some contraband items after they had arrived at CSMI Airport, Mumbai on Wednesday from Bangkok.

The Customs officials, in another case intercepted two passengers together Noor Mohammed Bilakhiya (40) and Afreen Bilakhiya (36), both Byculla residents, on the basis of spot profiling that they might be carrying some contraband items after they had arrived at CSMI Airport, Mumbai on Wednesday from Bangkok. The Customs officials found total 11.8 kg of Hydroponic Weed worth Rs 11.80 crores from their trolley bags.

In the third case, the Customs officials on Wednesday arrested 34-year-old Trombay resident Mohammed Shafiq Shaikh for allegedly smuggling Hydroponic Weed worth Rs 5.90 crore from Bangkok.

"Probe has revealed that accused persons were aware that smuggling of Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana) and other illegal drugs into India attracts stringent punishment as per laws prevalent in India. However, they said they were getting handsome amount of quick and easy money in lieu of smuggling the contraband to India. The preliminary investigation carried out so far in accordance with the law and the statement given by the accused disclose involvement of other persons who are yet to be traced in the commission of the offence in relation to the smuggling of Hydroponic Weed. The investigations in the case are at a very preliminary stage and efforts are also being made to identify and apprehend key members of the drug cartel," said a Customs source.