Pune Customs Seizes 1.243 Kg Hashish Concealed In Cosmetic Jars At Airport

Pune Customs and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) apprehended approximately 1.243 kilograms of suspected cannabis extract, commonly referred to as hashish, concealed within cosmetic jars at Pune International Airport. This discovery occurred on October 1, 2026, following a thorough inspection of the luggage of an Indian woman who had just landed from Bangkok on an Air India Express flight IX-241.

The woman was subjected to behavioral profiling and additional scrutiny at the check-in point, prompting the interception by officers from the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU), Pune Customs, and the DRI. Upon a more detailed examination of her baggage, law enforcement detected a waxy, semi-solid substance with a strong aroma tucked away inside three commercial cosmetic jars.

Two of these containers were marked with the labels "Rice and Yolk Hair Treatment" and "Body Scrub" respectively, while the third bore the label "Body Scrub." The peculiar packaging was suspected to be a deliberate attempt to disguise the illicit substance as innocuous personal care items in order to avoid detection during routine baggage screening.

Subsequent tests conducted using a Narcotic Drug Field Testing Kit yielded a positive indication for cannabis. The seized substance, weighing 1.243 kilograms, is estimated to be worth around ₹1 crore according to the Customs authorities. The hashish has been confiscated under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

The woman has been apprehended, and additional investigations are currently underway to ascertain the origin of the contraband and its intended destination.