Bhubaneswar: The directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) in coordination with customs officials seized 5.291 kg of hydroponic weed worth Rs 1.85 crore from four passengers arriving from Bangkok at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) here on Saturday.According to DRI officials, three of the passengers were found carrying 4.877 kg of the contraband concealed in specially created hidden compartments inside their check-in baggage. Another 414 grams of suspected hydroponic weed was recovered from a fourth passenger, who allegedly hid the substance inside a can labelled as “dog food” to evade detection.A senior DRI officer said the seizure was made following specific intelligence inputs and intensified surveillance at the airport. “The smugglers adopted innovative concealment methods to avoid detection, but our officers identified and intercepted the contraband during examination of the baggage. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the source and intended recipients of the consignment,” the officer said.The four passengers have been detained and are being questioned by customs officials, who suspect that the individuals were acting as carriers for a larger drug trafficking network. Their identities have not been disclosed.DRI sources said this is the 13th seizure of hydroponic weed at BPIA since Jan 2025, underlining the airport’s emergence as a key transit point for attempts to smuggle the high-value narcotic into the country.The latest haul comes three months after a major seizure in July, when DRI officers intercepted over 11 kg of hydroponic weed worth around Rs 5 crore from two passengers arriving from Bangkok. In that case, the accused were also allegedly carrying the contraband disguised as food items.Officials said investigations are continuing to trace the interstate and international links of the smuggling racket and identify the masterminds behind the repeated consignments arriving through Bangkok.