New Delhi:- A South African woman has been arrested at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) with cocaine having a street value of Rs 3 crore.
She was intercepted by customs officials after her arrival from Dubai yesterday. Examination of her baggage and personal search resulted in recovery of a white crystalline powder which is believed to be cocaine, said Vinayak Azaad, Additional Commissioner of Customs at the airport.
She had concealed the powder in an octagonal box of ‘Nadiya’ brand of chocolate dates, he said. The seized cocaine weighs 595 gms with an estimated street value of Rs 3 crore, the official said.
“The passenger had come via Dubai from Johannesburg. She has been arrested,” Azaad told PTI. He said of late, customs officials have registered similar cases where smugglers have tried to dodge authorities by coming through Dubai and other destinations which are not noted for drug smuggling.
In another case, customs officials arrested a man for allegedly trying to smuggle in gold chains valued at about Rs 33 lakh.
The accused was intercepted after his arrival from Muscat yesterday. “On detailed examination of his baggage and personal search, five gold chains weighing 1.1 kg were found concealed in a trouser pocket,” the official said.
The value of the seized gold is Rs 33.26 lakh. The passenger has been arrested, Azaad said.
PTI
