A 28-year-old model, Harsha Sunny, has been apprehended at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. Customs officials reportedly discovered over 11 kg of hydroponic marijuana concealed in her luggage on the night of June 10-11, 2026. The cannabis, which is valued at approximately Rs 11.82 crore, was seized following a routine surveillance operation.
Sunny arrived in Mumbai aboard Air India flight TG-351 from Bangkok. During the procedure, customs officers from the Air Intelligence Unit noticed suspicious behaviour, prompting them to conduct a more thorough examination of her belongings. Upon inspecting her trolley bag, officials allegedly retrieved twelve vacuum-sealed packets containing a green substance.
An immediate chemical test using a Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) kit confirmed the material to be high-grade hydroponic marijuana, a sophisticated variety of cannabis cultivated using advanced agricultural techniques. This led to her arrest under the provisions of the NDPS Act.
Judicial Proceedings Following the Seizure
Following her arrest, Harsha Sunny was presented before a court in the Fort area of Mumbai, where she was remanded to judicial custody. Investigators are now focusing on determining the intended destination of the confiscated drug consignment. There is concern regarding its potential connection to a broader trafficking network operating within Mumbai or in other regions of India.
This incident raises alarms as it occurs amidst increasing scrutiny of international drug-smuggling attempts at Indian airports. Authorities are likely to enhance monitoring and enforcement measures in response to such illegal activities.
With the growing instances of drug-related arrests, agencies are ramping up their efforts to clamp down on these illegal operations. Local law enforcement is collaborating with customs officials to gather more information and to track any possible accomplices connected to this case.
Comparison to Other Drug Seizures
This arrest is not an isolated event, as another recent case illustrates the ongoing challenges faced by Indian authorities. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recently seized five kilograms of crystal methamphetamine valued at around Rs 5 crore from a passenger on his way to Kuala Lumpur at Chennai International Airport. The individual, identified as Sivayogeswaran Rajkumar from Dindigul district in Tamil Nadu, was intercepted just before he boarded a flight to Malaysia.
The case of Sunny is reminiscent of a high-profile gold-smuggling operation involving Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru in 2025 for allegedly carrying over 14 kg of smuggled gold. In that incident, authorities later confiscated cash and jewellery estimated to be worth over Rs 2 crore, with the total value of the smuggling attempt pegged at Rs 102 crore.
As investigations into Harsha Sunny’s case continue, authorities remain vigilant in their pursuit of information regarding possible networks involved in drug smuggling. The situation emphasises the persistent need for thorough monitoring and cooperation among various enforcement agencies to combat this serious issue effectively.