Kochi: Customs officials on Sunday seized six kg of hybrid ganja from a fashion designer at Cochin  International Airport in Nedumbassery. The accused has been identified as Abdul Jaleel Jasmal (29), a native of Kodungalloor.

According to officials, Jasmal, who arrived on a flight from Bangkok, was intercepted by the Air Intelligence Unit in the early hours of the day. Six packets of hybrid ganja, weighing a total of six kg, were recovered from his handbag.

The contraband is estimated to be worth around ₹6 crore. Preliminary investigations revealed that Jasmal had been hired by a narcotics gang to smuggle the substance.

A customs official said he was reportedly paid ₹1 lakh and provided with a flight ticket for the operation. A detailed probe is underway to trace the network behind the smuggling attempt.