Woman porter arrested with 2.15 kg OG ganja at Hyderabad airport

HYDERABAD

After a coordinated operation by EAGLE Force Telangana, Customs and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), a woman was arrested with 2.15 kg of OG ganja coming from Bangkok.

The arrest of Doddi Suri Kal, a junior artist from Hyderabad, on 6 June 2026 led to the exposure of a transnational smuggling syndicate operating between Thailand and India that recruits women carriers to transport narcotics by air.

According to officials, intelligence developed by EAGLE Force indicated that accused Challil Puthanpurayil Nafsheed alias Alex and his associate Raju Biswas from Kerala recruited women from Hyderabad on the pretext of foreign travel assignments and used them to smuggle OG ganja from Bangkok to India. Based on this information, a Look Out Circular was issued against the suspects and agencies were alerted.

The container was intercepted by immigration authorities upon arrival from Bangkok and taken into custody by NCB officials. While checking her luggage, officials reportedly found 2.15 kg of contraband.

During interrogation, Suri Kala revealed that she was repeatedly enticed to transport contraband on international trips, initially under the guise of transporting items such as chocolates and biscuits. Investigators said she was offered payments ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 per trip.

Officials said it was first sent to Bangkok in March 2026 and later returned via Chennai, where the contraband was picked up by an associate of the syndicate. In April 2026, she was again sent abroad and instructed to deliver several packages of OG ganja, which were later handed over near Hyderabad upon arrival. In a subsequent attempt in June 2026, she was detained by customs authorities at the Hyderabad airport.

Investigators further noted that two other women, Ganga Bhawani and Gauri, were earlier detained under similar circumstances at Bangalore and Chennai airports, suggesting the recruitment of unsuspecting women for drug trafficking operations.

Efforts are on to trace the main accused Nafsheed alias Alex, Raja Biswas and other members of the network.

Law enforcement agencies urged the public to remain vigilant and report any drug-related activity, stressing that strict action will continue against those involved in narcotics trafficking networks.

Published – 10 Jun 2026 20:09 IST