Ahmedabad: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Ahmedabad Customs has foiled a major narcotics smuggling attempt, seizing 6.8 kg of heroin valued at around ₹34 crore. The contraband was seized from a passenger originally hailing from Tamil Nadu who arrived at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport.

The operation followed passenger profiling, during which Customs officers intercepted a male traveller arriving from Kuala Lumpur on an AirAsia flight. A thorough inspection of the passenger’s checked-in baggage led to the recovery of 29 packets containing a suspected narcotic substance. The contraband had been cleverly concealed in the form of natural and herbal soap bars, packed inside boxes designed to appear original. However, officials found that the boxes contained no actual soap.

Apart from the soap-shaped packets, officers also found three white envelopes filled with the suspected narcotic material. To avoid detection during X-ray screening, the packets had been wrapped in multiple layers of silver foil and carbon paper.

Preliminary testing confirmed the substance to be heroin, with a total gross weight of 6.8 kg concealed within 26 soap-sized boxes and three envelopes.

The seized contraband has been taken into custody under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The passenger has been arrested and is currently being questioned to determine the origin of the narcotics, the intended recipients, and whether the consignment is linked to a wider trafficking network.

Officials added that further investigations are ongoing, including efforts to trace international connections and examine whether similar consignments may have previously passed through the airport. DeshGujarat