Karachi, June 28 (ANI): Around 4.5 kilograms of heroin was seized from a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft in Karachi, which was departing for London via Lahore.
"This has happened a hundred times. About 20 years ago, it used to be gold that we used to find in the toilets of aircraft, up to 140, 000 grams of gold at a time, and now we see that it is mostly heroin being smuggled in the toilet compartments," The Express Tribune quoted Customs spokesperson Qamar Thalho.
Thalho said the heroin was placed within the panelling in the toilets. The heroin, wrapped inside plastic bags, was discovered by the customs Drug Enforcement Cell.
The airport staff has been identified as prime suspects.
"No third party has access to the plane in the hangers or on the runway which means that the heroin could only be put in by a staff member," Thalho said.
"People who work in maintenance and repairs are the ones with the easiest access and in the past, we've seen even smuggling goods being brought in through catering trays," he added.
"The investigation has just started. First we will determine which crew was working in the hangar at that time and also identify others who had access to the plane. After the suspects are interrogated, we can confirm who was involved," Thalho further said.
A case has been registered under the Control of Narcotics Subtances Act, 1997 by the Investigation and Prosecution branch of the customs. (ANI)
Copyright 2012 Asian News International (ANI).Syndigate.info, Al bawaba.comAll Rights Reserved
