India

Thermal-Imaging Drones Smuggled from Hong Kong Seized in Delhi

Published: 29 September 2026 · 1 min read

What Happened

Customs officials at Delhi's IGI Airport seized 10 military-grade drones worth over ₹1.03 crore from three Indian passengers arriving from Hong Kong via Vietnam. The drones were equipped with thermal imaging cameras and laser rangefinders and were intercepted while the passengers attempted to cross the green channel.

Key Takeaways

The seizure highlights growing concerns over the unauthorized import of advanced surveillance equipment. Authorities say the drones fall under defence-grade UAVs and require mandatory DGCA registration, with investigations ongoing.

Sources

The Hindu, The Week