Customs seize Rs 13.5 lakh hashish hidden in shoe soles of passenger from Bangkok at Pune airport

Customs officers at Pune International Airport have uncovered an unusual smuggling attempt. An Indian passenger who arrived from Bangkok had hidden hashish worth lakhs of rupees in specially made cavities in the soles of his sports shoes. The officers seized the consignment and said even they were surprised by the method.

The customs officers had received confidential information beforehand and were keeping watch on a passenger who arrived from Bangkok on Air India Express flight IX-291. After he landed, his movements appeared suspicious, so the officers stopped him and searched his baggage thoroughly. Nothing suspicious was found in the baggage at first.

The passenger was almost let go when the officers noticed the black sports shoes he was wearing. The shoes were quite thick and seemed heavier than they should be, which firmed up the officers' suspicion. They examined the shoes closely and then cut open the soles.

As soon as the soles were cut, cleverly made cavities came into view. Packets of hashish had been hidden in them, which revealed the passenger's entire modus operandi.

The customs department seized a total of 389.27 grams of hashish in the operation. The narcotic is valued at about Rs 13.5 lakh in the international market. The department arrested the passenger on the spot under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

A court has ordered him sent to judicial custody till November 7. A detailed investigation is on to establish whether anyone else was involved in this international drug smuggling.