Pune Customs officials seized 381.27 grams of suspected cannabis extract, valued at Rs 13.44 lakh, from an Indian passenger arriving at Pune International Airport from Bangkok, according to the department. The substance was allegedly concealed in specially fabricated cavities inside the soles of the sports shoes worn by the passenger.
The passenger arrived at Lohegaon airport on Air India Express flight IX-291 on October 27. Officers from the Air Intelligence Unit intercepted him following intelligence inputs and passenger profiling, Pune Customs said.
A search of the passenger’s cabin baggage and checked baggage did not initially reveal any contraband. Officials became suspicious after observing that the black sports shoes appeared to have unusually thick soles and seemed heavier than normal. The inner soles of both shoes were then cut open, revealing concealed cavities.
The cavities contained packets wrapped in black cloth and secured with red adhesive tape. The packets held a dark brownish-black, semi-solid waxy substance that tested positive for cannabis extract during a field test. Customs officials said the material was suspected to be hashish or marijuana extract. The final nature and composition of the substance will be subject to further investigation and legal proceedings.
The substance was seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. The passenger was arrested and produced before a judicial magistrate, who remanded him to judicial custody until November 7.
The case highlights the role of layered airport screening, intelligence inputs and physical inspection in detecting material that was not found during the initial examination of the passenger’s cabin and checked baggage. Pune Customs has not indicated in the supplied report whether any additional arrests or links to a wider network have been established.
Further investigation into the source of the suspected cannabis extract, the passenger’s travel arrangements and the intended destination of the consignment is underway, according to the customs authorities.
