NEW DELHI: A man was apprehended at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday with contraband worth nearly Rs 21 crore by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). He was headed for Melbourne by an Air India flight and had reached the security checkpoint when CISF personnel detected something suspicious in his baggage, immediately asking him to stop and show its contents.
CISF said the incident was reported around 11.30 am when the foreign national, Mohamed Umar Turay, came for checking. The personnel stationed at the X-ray screening of the baggage said he detected several large ‘pouches’ in one of the bags. Each appeared to contain a powdery substance inside.
“The CISF screener noticed some pouches in the bag, which appeared suspicious to him. The bag was then selected for thorough physical check. On opening, several black pouches were found concealed in the false bottom of the bag, and each contained a white crystal-like substance,” said the official.
The powdery substance was then tested with a drug detection kit and officials said it tested positive for amphetamine. “The gross weight of the seized contraband was approximately 7kg. The value of the seized amphetamine could be around Rs 21 crore in the international market. Senior officers of CISF and customs officials were also informed immediately,” said an official.
Officials said the airline was informed and Turay, who held an Australian passport, was taken in for questioning. “It is suspected that he could be part of a larger smuggling racket. Later, the said foreign passenger, along with the seized contraband, was handed over to customs officials for further legal action.
CISF said the incident was reported around 11.30 am when the foreign national, Mohamed Umar Turay, came for checking. The personnel stationed at the X-ray screening of the baggage said he detected several large ‘pouches’ in one of the bags. Each appeared to contain a powdery substance inside.
“The CISF screener noticed some pouches in the bag, which appeared suspicious to him. The bag was then selected for thorough physical check. On opening, several black pouches were found concealed in the false bottom of the bag, and each contained a white crystal-like substance,” said the official.
The powdery substance was then tested with a drug detection kit and officials said it tested positive for amphetamine. “The gross weight of the seized contraband was approximately 7kg. The value of the seized amphetamine could be around Rs 21 crore in the international market. Senior officers of CISF and customs officials were also informed immediately,” said an official.
Officials said the airline was informed and Turay, who held an Australian passport, was taken in for questioning. “It is suspected that he could be part of a larger smuggling racket. Later, the said foreign passenger, along with the seized contraband, was handed over to customs officials for further legal action.
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