Air India co-pilot deported from US after marijuana discovery

An Air India crew member was deported from the United States following the discovery of marijuana, adding to India's ongoing cannabis enforcement activity.

FILE — police lights · Tony Webster / CC BY-SA 2.0

An Air India co-pilot was deported from the United States after marijuana was discovered, according to The Times of India. The incident underscores enforcement activity at international travel nodes and reflects broader scrutiny of cannabis possession across jurisdictions.

The deportation aligns with India's documented enforcement posture: recent coverage shows the country has seized 3.9 million kg of cannabis-based drugs since 2020, destroyed 2,800 plants in a single operation, and disrupted smuggling networks spanning Thailand and India. Cannabis remains prohibited in India outside narrow medical and research exceptions.

The co-pilot case suggests heightened scrutiny of individuals transiting between jurisdictions with divergent cannabis regulations. Watch whether airlines implement enhanced crew screening or if the incident prompts clarification from Indian aviation authorities on crew conduct and compliance expectations.