Heroin worth Rs 100 crore seized at Chennai airport

Customs officials have seized several kilograms of heroin from two Tanzanian nationals in Chennai. The narcotic drug is said to be worth Rs 100 crores.

Chennai:Authorities in Chennai arrested two Tanzanian nationals for smuggling over 15 kilograms of heroin.

The drug was seized at the Chennai international airport. Chennai Air Customs said the heroin is worth Rs 100 crores.

Acting on inputs that some drug was being smuggled into India from Africa, the Customs Department detained a 46-year-old woman and her 45-year-old associate for interrogation, said Customs Commissioner Rajan Chowdhry in a press release.

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Since the two were evasive in their replies during interrogation, the sleuths examined the baggage and recovered the drug.

The heroin was concealed in packets and some spicy powder was sprinkled to camouflage the smell emanating from the narcotic, he said.

The seizure was one of the biggest made by Customs in recent times, he said.

It is learnt that the woman took up the journey to India citing medical treatment along with her attendant to a multi-speciality hospital in Bengaluru.

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The visa to take up the travel (to India) was granted based on a communication from the hospital, he said.

Since the duo did not get a direct flight to Bengaluru they landed in Chennai and were arrested, he added.

(with agency inputs)

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