Hyderabad: Law enforcement agencies have intensified scrutiny at airports after a series of drug smuggling cases involving women couriers. In the past two weeks, at least two women were caught at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) while attempting to smuggle hydroponic ganja.
On Monday, officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 13 kilograms of hydroponic ganja worth an estimated ₹13 crore from a woman passenger. The contraband was concealed in her baggage. Two weeks earlier, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) intercepted another woman at the same airport carrying 40.2 kilograms of hydroponic ganja. She had travelled via Dubai after collecting the drugs from Bangkok.
Drug cartels offering cash and perks to women couriers
Investigators said both women were aware of the risks but were lured by the promise of high returns. “Drug cartels are offering between ₹5 lakh and ₹7 lakh per trip, in addition to free air tickets, hotel stays in Bangkok, and other perks,” an official said. If arrested, syndicates reportedly cover legal expenses and also provide financial support to families until bail is secured.
One of the women admitted during questioning that she had carried drugs on earlier occasions as well. Officials pointed out that in the last two months alone, nearly two dozen women were arrested at different airports across India, most of them arriving from Bangkok with hydroponic ganja consignments.
Authorities noted that gold smuggling syndicates had previously used women couriers, but with falling margins in the gold trade, drug cartels had taken over the tactic. “Cartels assume women will not be suspected, but that is no longer the case. All suspects, regardless of gender, are under close watch,” the official added.
