Malaysian man detained in India over alleged hydroponic cannabis smuggling

A 62-year-old Malaysian man from Selangor has been detained in India after Chennai customs allegedly found 3.42 kilograms of hydroponic cannabis hidden inside a secret compartment in his suitcase.

The drugs were estimated to be worth about RM520,000. Malaysian police said the man had flown on AirAsia flight AK-11 from KLIA2 to Chennai on Aug. 31. He had no previous record involving drug offenses, according to Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, director of Bukit Aman’s Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department.

Hussein said Malaysian authorities had been informed by India’s Narcotics Control Bureau about the arrest at Chennai International Airport. The suspect remains in Indian custody while authorities investigate the case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985.

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The Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department was informed by India’s Narcotics Control Bureau about the detention of a Malaysian citizen at Chennai International Airport, together with the seizure of drugs hidden in his luggage.

Malaysian and Indian authorities are cooperating to obtain more information, including whether the man was connected to the same syndicate or another network following earlier arrests of Malaysians in Chennai for allegedly carrying hydroponic cannabis.

United News of India reported that officers from Chennai customs’ Air Intelligence Unit became suspicious of the man’s movements during passenger profiling. He was remanded in judicial custody as investigators examined possible links to a wider international drug-smuggling network.

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The suspect is currently being detained by the Indian authorities for investigation and further action under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985.