SAfrican woman held with party drug worth Rs 13 cr at airport

A South African woman has been arrested at IGI airport here for allegedly trying to smuggle out of the country a party drug worth about Rs 13 crore in the international market.

The accused had come to Indira Gandhi International Airport to board a flight to Johannesburg via Nairobi on Tuesday, a customs official said.

She was intercepted by customs officials and on examination of her baggage, 16 kgs Methaqualone was found in it, the official said.

Methaqualone, a controlled substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, is a sedative used for medical purposes. However, it is commonly abused as party drug.

The value of the seized goods in the international market is Rs 12.80 crore, the official said, adding that the passenger was arrested and is being interrogated.

In a separate incident, two Delhi nationals were arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle into the country gold worth about Rs 64 lakh, a customs official said.

The duo, who hail from Chandni Chowk area of the national capital, were intercepted by customs officials after their arrival from Dubai yesterday, the official said.

On detailed examination of their baggage, gold wires weighing 2.5 kgs were recovered from them, he said.