Fourth arrest in Kabul contraband case

The contraband,acetic anhydride,used in making heroin,smuggled out of the Indira Gandhi International Airport,was seized at Kabul airport in February. The three main accused,who smuggled it using an established exporter’s name,were arrested by Customs officials in Delhi on May 5.

On March 23,the Customs (Export) department of the Indira Gandhi International Airport had taken over the investigations.

The case had set alarm bells ringing in security circles as 210 litres of acetic anhydride,a highly corrosive and inflammable substance,was cleared by the Customs scanners at IGI Airport,and later detected by their Kabul counterparts. The Kabul Customs officials then contacted the Indian agencies and collaborated in the investigations.

The chemical,used for making heroin,was allegedly concealed in seven plastic jars with ‘ladies bindis’. While initial reports showed the consignment was sent to Kabul in an Air India flight,further investigations revealed the consignment was sent in an Ariana Afghan Airlines flight FG-316 on February 21.

“Our investigations revealed that at the Kabul Airport,some consignments,which arrived on an Ariana Afghan freight aircraft,were apprehended by the local customs authorities,” said S Chandra Kumar,Air India spokesperson.

The consignment was booked on behalf of M/S Ma Durga Impex,and the proprietor of the company was not involved,as the freight was forwarded in the name of Om Sai Cargo,the Customs House Agent (CHA),said a senior Customs official.

The department had earlier arrested Prashant Kumar,the general manager of Om Sai Cargo,Rajesh Sharma,the owner of the firm,Sunil Bakshi,the authorised signatory of the firm.

Another person,Harbans Lal Sharma,was arrested today and sent to judicial custody.

“Investigations have also revealed the complicity of the CHA in carrying out the smuggling of the chemical,a controlled substance under the NDPS Act,” the official said.

Customs officials said Indians being used by powerful drug syndicates in Afghanistan to procure raw materials for narcotics is a disturbing trend that is now emerging. Indian authorities are probing the nexus.