Man who flew in from Bangkok arrested with ‘14 kg of marijuana’ at Surat airport

Acting on a tip-off, the officials of Surat DRI maintained a watch at the international airport on Wednesday and intercepted the accused on suspicion, said sources.

On checking Khan’s luggage, the officials recovered the contraband, following which his passport, travel tickets, and other documents were seized.

After primary questioning, the accused confessed that he was hired by a person in Jaipur, said the officials.

The unidentified man “offered me an international trip to bring a parcel from Bangkok, and paid Rs 15,000 for the journey,” said the DRI officials quoting Khan.

In his confession, Khan allegedly told the officials that he was asked to deliver the parcel to a person waiting for him in a black car at Surat airport parking. Despite searching the entire area, the DRI officials were unable to find the said car, said the sources.

The unidentified accused who hired Khan allegedly provides all travel, accommodation and other expenses, said the sources in DRI.

The officials have also seized Khan’s mobile phone and are trying to retrieve more information about the identity of the person who hired him.

DRI sources said that Ajaz Khan had been working as a labourer in Jaipur. On August 11, the accused had travelled from Rajasthan to Mumbai, from where he flew to Bangkok, according to officials. A drug cartel member received him and provided him with all facilities in Bangkok, said the DRI officials.

The officials arrested him under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) and the Customs Act.

On Thursday, the accused was produced before the court and was sent to judicial custody at Surat Central Jail.