250 grams of suspected ganja found hidden inside seat of domestic flight at Bengaluru airport

The incident occurred around 12:30 pm on Tuesday when flight IX-5502, which arrived from Mangaluru, was being cleaned at KIA Terminal 2. | Photo credit: File Photo

Housekeeping staff of an Air India Express domestic flight discovered a package containing 250 grams of suspected ganja hidden inside a passenger seat while cleaning the aircraft after it landed at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), prompting the registration of a case by the NDPS.

According to a complaint filed by the airline’s deputy security manager, the incident occurred around 12.30 pm on Tuesday when flight IX-5502, which arrived from Mangaluru at Terminal 2, was being cleaned.

During cleaning, housekeeping staff found a suspicious package hidden inside seat 22B and immediately alerted the airline’s security team. On examination, the package was found wrapped in aluminum foil and contained a green leafy substance suspected to be ganja. The alleged contraband weighed approximately 250 grams.

A preliminary investigation raised suspicions against a passenger who had seat 22B during the flight. The seized package was handed over to the police.

The BIAL police have registered a case under Sections 8(C) and 20(B)(ii)(A) ​​of the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 and have launched an investigation to identify and trace the passenger allegedly responsible for carrying the contraband.

Published – 01 Jul 2026 20:41 IST