Customs held Tanzanian passenger for carrying narcotics dissolved in whiskey bottles

New Delhi [India], April 27 : A Tanzan nationality passenger was arrested by Indira Gandhi International Airport customs for allegedly carrying three Whiskey bottles with dissolved narcotics substances, said a statement by customs.

Based on profiling by IGIA Customs/DRI, a Tanzan nationality passenger who arrived from Addis Ababa was followed from the deboarding gate, added the statement.

As soon as the passenger took to the Green Channel, Customs/DRI officers intercepted him inter-alia asking whether he was carrying any narcotic substances. Upon searching his baggage, three whiskey bottles were found.

The liquid inside the bottles was unusually viscous, unlike whiskey. Upon opening the bottles and subjecting them to a test kit, the presence of cocaine was indicated.

This is a new modus operandi to smuggle narcotics dissolved in alcohol, probably since alcohol evaporates in the open, the dissolved substance (cocaine in this case) could be recovered easily.

Further investigations are underway.