Three foreign nationals allegedly attempting to smuggle out consignments of pseudo-ephedrine and methaqualone, precursor and recreational drugs, have been arrested by the Central Industrial Security Force at Indira Gandhi International Airport here. The consignment purportedly seized from them is worth Rs.2.34 crore in the international market.
In the early hours of Tuesday, the CISF personnel intercepted a foreigner at the Gate No.3 of Terminal-3 on suspicion that he was carrying some contraband, as indicated by the baggage scanner. During questioning, he identified himself as Karimazondo Mike (35), a Zimbabwe national. The security personnel seized 25.7 kg of methaqualone, which is used as a recreational drug. The accused was to board a flight to Johannesburg via Abu Dhabi.
Mike purportedly disclosed that he was travelling with two of his friends. They were identified as Khumalo Shila (41), also from Zimbabwe, and Ncube Ellah (45), a South African national. The two were off-loaded from the flight and their baggage checked. “From their baggage, we seized 65 kg of pseudo-ephedrine. The Narcotics Control Bureau was alerted and the drugs examined. The NCB officials confirmed that the seized consignments were of methaqualone and pseudo-ephedrine. Subsequently the three foreign nationals were arrested and handed over to NCB.
