Harsha Sani, who works as a Relationship Manager at a private bank, was the runner-up in the Mrs Kerala Global 2025 beauty pageant held in May last year. She was intercepted by Customs authorities after landing in Mumbai from Bangkok on suspicion of carrying prohibited substances.
According to Customs officials, Sani arrived in Mumbai on the night of June 10 and 11 aboard Air India flight TG-351 from Bangkok. Acting on suspicion, officials conducted a detailed examination of her baggage. During the inspection, authorities allegedly recovered nearly 12 kilograms of hydroponic cannabis concealed inside her trolley bag.
Officials stated that 12 vacuum-sealed packets containing a green-colored suspicious substance were found inside the luggage. The seized narcotic substance has been valued at approximately Rs 11.82 crore in the international illicit drug market.
During testing with an NDPS field testing kit, the substance was identified as dried cannabis flowers and fruiting buds, commonly known as hydroponic cannabis. Customs authorities subsequently arrested Sani under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
In her defense, Harsha Sani claimed that she was unaware of the contents of the bag. She told investigators that during her trip, she became acquainted with a man who persuaded her to carry a bag to India on his behalf. She was stopped by authorities at the airport at around 4 a.m. after her arrival from Bangkok.
Following her arrest, Sani was produced before a Special NDPS Court, which remanded her to judicial custody. Her lawyer, Prabhakar Tripathi, argued that his client had no knowledge of the contents of the baggage and maintained that she had unknowingly become involved in the incident.
Tripathi stated that the case appeared to be a classic example of organized drug traffickers exploiting an unsuspecting traveler to transport narcotics across international borders.
Customs officials continue to investigate the case as they examine the circumstances surrounding the seizure and the possible involvement of larger trafficking networks. Authorities noted that Bangkok, a major city in Southeast Asia, has emerged as a significant hub for the distribution of hydroponic cannabis, which is frequently trafficked to India and several other countries.
The arrest has drawn attention due to Sani’s profile as a beauty pageant runner-up and banking professional, while also highlighting the growing challenge faced by enforcement agencies in combating international narcotics smuggling operations.
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