NEW DELHI: Repeated attempts by a Kolkata-bound passenger to avoid baggage screening at Imphal airport on Friday led CISF personnel to conduct a thorough check of his luggage, resulting in the seizure of 4.09 kg of suspected heroin concealed in specially fabricated false bottoms of his baggage.
The seized narcotic substance is estimated to have a market value of nearly Rs 5 crore, according to a source.
“At around 11 am on Friday, CISF personnel noticed suspicious behaviour by a passenger carrying two duffle bags who repeatedly attempted to avoid baggage screening, citing urgency to board his flight. Acting on their instincts, the CISF staff insisted on proper security checks and directed the baggage for screening through the Random X-BIS system installed at the departure entry gate,” another source said.
During detailed screening and subsequent physical examination, suspicious packets concealed inside specially fabricated false bottoms of both bags were detected. “We suspect it to be heroin,” the source said.
The substance was split between the two bags, with 2.05 kg concealed in the false bottom of one bag and 2.04 kg in the other, the source said.
“During preliminary questioning, the passenger disclosed that one of the bags belonged to another passenger who was planning to travel by the same flight. CISF's Crime Intelligence Wing immediately traced the second passenger in the Security Hold Area. He confirmed ownership of the baggage,” the source added.
Both passengers, who were scheduled to travel from Imphal to Kolkata, along with the recovered suspected contraband and related documents, were handed over to the Singjamei police station in Imphal West. Further investigation and appropriate legal action are under way, the source said.