International drug peddler, aide held at Delhi airport

NEW DELHI: A 'wanted' global drug peddler and his suspected accomplice, both nationals of Tanzania, have been arrested at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) here for allegedly trying to smuggle out narcotics worth Rs 25 lakh.

The incident happened yesterday noon when CISF sleuths detected suspicious movement of a person, identified as FundikiraRama Dhan Ismail (30), who arrived at the airport terminal to fly to Muscat.

"Ismail was asked to undergo thorough frisking which resulted in the recovery of five packets, containing 24.5 kilogrammes of banned drug methaqualone. His questioning led the sleuths to his accomplice and fellow Tanzanian John Gugu who was flying out separately from IGIA at the same time to evade detection," a senior official said.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) team soon apprehended Gugu from the terminal area and subsequently called up anti-narcotics sleuths who arrested the duo, seized the drugs.

The anti-narcotics sleuths revealed that Gugu (30) was an international peddler who featured in their 'wanted' list.

Both the Tanzanians were travelling to India on business visas. "The estimated value of the seized drug is Rs 25 lakh," the official said.