Gaya: Customs officials at Gaya International Airport in Bihar arrested two women from Punjab on Wednesday, November 4, after about 10 kg of suspected marijuana was allegedly recovered from their luggage on arrival from Thailand, Patna Press reported. The women arrived on a Thai Airways flight at around 11:45 am, and security personnel reportedly noticed suspicious contents during routine baggage screening.

Source: Patna Press

Personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and customs staff stopped the two passengers after the X-ray screening flagged their bags, and a closer examination allegedly found about 10 kg of marijuana packed in four separate bags, Saptashwa TV reported. The suspected contraband was seized and the women were taken into custody for questioning.

Source: Saptashwa TV

The arrested women have been identified in media reports only as Simranjit and Kulwinder, both residents of Punjab. According to the reports, they were questioned for around eight hours before customs officials formally arrested them in connection with the alleged smuggling attempt. The allegations have not been tested in court.

Wider group under the scanner

Airport sources quoted in the reports said a group of six people had travelled to Thailand about four days before the seizure, and that the other four members of the group had not returned to Gaya at the time the reports were filed. Customs officials are examining whether anyone else was involved, and are working to establish where the consignment came from and where it was meant to be delivered.

The investigation is continuing, and further details are awaited from the customs authorities. Both reports noted that the reported Rs 10 crore valuation of the seized substance is an estimate of its international market value and has not been officially confirmed.