Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Customs officials at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have arrested a passenger for allegedly smuggling 6.8 kg of heroin, valued at approximately Rs 6.8 crore, concealed inside soap boxes.
The seizure was made by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) and the Customs department during routine checks at the international terminal.
The accused, identified as Qutub Sihabuddin Abbas Ali, a resident of Chennai, had arrived from Kuala Lumpur on an AirAsia flight (AK91). Officials said he was intercepted while attempting to pass through the green channel, meant for passengers not carrying dutiable goods, after profiling raised suspicion.
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According to Customs officials, Ali denied carrying any prohibited items when questioned. However, a scan of his baggage indicated suspicious contents.
Upon examination, officers recovered 29 packets labelled as natural and herbal soap. A detailed inspection revealed that the soap packages had been tampered with and were concealing narcotic substances.
Further scrutiny uncovered three white covers wrapped in silver foil and carbon paper, containing the suspected heroin.
Samples of the seized substance have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for confirmation.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly told officials that the consignment had been handed over to him by a friend identified as Panir, and that he was promised a substantial payment for transporting the parcel.
Ali has been arrested under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and further investigations are underway to trace the suspected international drug trafficking network linked to the case.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
