KARACHI: Pakistan Customs on Wednesday claimed to have foiled an attempt to smuggle 570 grams of heroin at Karachi airport.

A statement issued by the customs said its drug enforcement cell at Quaid-i-Azam International Airport intercepted a passenger in the departure lounge when he was meeting formalities to fly to Colombo.

“The passenger was due to board Sri Lankan Airline’s flight UL-184,” said the statement. “Scrutiny of passports revealed that the passenger named Shahzad Ahmed was a frequent traveller from Karachi to various Middle and Far Eastern destinations for trade purposes. A thorough examination of his luggage led to the recovery of 300 grams heroin powder artfully concealed in the corrugated PVC frame of a trolley bag that apparently contained a consignment of locally made face cream jars and related stuff.”

About 270 grams of heroin, the statement said, was found in the footwear of the passenger. The suspect was arrested and a case under the Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 1997 was registered against him, added the statement.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2014