Two from Andhra Pradesh held with 3kg drugs at Kochi airport

Kochi: Directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) sleuths intercepted two Andhra Pradesh natives with 3.5kg of methaqualone at Kochi airport on Monday.

The seizure took a dramatic turn when one among the carriers used a pair of scissors to harm himself. However, officers were able to overpower him before he could seriously injure himself. He suffered a wound on his abdomen which was reportedly not critical.

DRI sleuths intercepted the passengers who arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, based on specific intelligence received. The passengers were identified as Satyanarayana Rokkalla and Arunkumar Pandiri. They arrived on a Thai Lion Air flight from Bangkok around 1am on Monday. The officers proceeded to inspect their baggage and belongings when the contraband was found concealed in two bags. The drug, a highly addictive sedative, was in the shape of soap bars.

There were 20 bars in two bags. Official sources said that the passengers claimed it to be soap packets. However, DRI seized the contraband and arrested them after prima facie identification identified it as methaqualone.

Sources said that Rokkalla became agitated when they were taken to an interrogation room at the airport. The accused grabbed a pair of scissors and tried to shove it into his abdomen. However, officers intervened immediately and overpowered him. In the melee, he managed to inflict a wound on his abdomen.

Official sources said that he was given first aid and rushed to a hospital in Angamaly. DRI sources said that the injury was not critical and he was discharged from the hospital. The duo was later produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody, said sources.

Officials said that the drugs seized on Monday are valued at several lakhs of rupees in the black market.