- IN BRIEF: The recent arrest of an Indian national at the Indira Gandhi International Airport for possession of heroin highlights the need for increased vigilance and tighter security measures at airports worldwide. It is important to take proactive measures to prevent drug trafficking and protect individuals from the devastating effects of drug addiction.
Indian media and officials have reported the arrest of an Indian national on Friday, April 22, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in New Delhi, India. The individual was apprehended during a routine check by the Air Customs at IGI with approximately three kilograms of heroin, which is valued at over Sh343 million (Rs 21 crores). The heroin was found concealed in the false bottom of the suspect’s bag. The authorities have seized the drugs and placed the suspect in custody pending further investigation.
The arrest highlights concerns about the screening process at airports and calls for more vigilance. Drug trafficking via Africa is on the rise, with an increasing number of individuals being apprehended in various countries across the world. In March, a Delhi Police team busted an international narcotic drug cartel, resulting in the arrest of three Africans and the seizure of 14.5 kg of narcotic drugs valued at over Rs 60 crore.
This is not an isolated case as other drug trafficking arrests have been made in different countries recently. In February, an airline attendant from Kenya was arrested at the Mumbai airport with 22.94 kilograms of heroin, which was in a passenger’s luggage connecting flights from Zimbabwe, and their luggage was not checked at the airport. In Ghana, a Kenyan woman was arrested last week for possession of Sh41 million worth of cocaine from Kenya. She was apprehended at the Kotoka International Airport while attempting to smuggle the drugs concealed in different food packets in her suitcase.
On April 9, a Kenyan woman was arrested in Hong Kong for smuggling one kilogram of a narcotic substance believed to be cocaine. The cocaine, concealed inside her body, was held in 67 pellets and had an estimated street value of HK$900,000 (Sh15.4 million).
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985 in India makes it illegal for a person to produce, manufacture, cultivate, possess, sell, purchase, transport, store, and or consume any narcotic drug. In Kenya, cocaine, heroin, opium, and cannabis are among the banned substances.
