KARACHI: The Pakistan Customs on Wednesday claimed to have recovered 17kg of heroin worth Rs170 million from a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft, which was ready to take off for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Initial investigations of the federal body suggested the “involvement of officers” of the national flag carrier in “repeated attempts to smuggle the drugs.”

In a press conference, Pakistan Customs officers also negated the PIA claims that the heroin was recovered by its staff with the help of Pakistan Customs and Anti-Narcotics Force. They said a similar attempt was foiled in May 2016 when they recovered 27kg heroin in nine cotton bags from a PIA aircraft.

“The PIA [personnel] don’t have any authority to search any plane,” Director Zahid Khokar of Pakistan Customs told reporters. “It’s wrong to say that the PIA had any contribution in that success. The plane was ready to take off for Saudi Arabia and it was delayed only [due to] our reports. Total worth of [the drugs] in international market stands at around Rs170m.

“We will look into all aspects. The CCTV footage is being acquired to watch movement of the people and those who entered the aircraft. We are confident to reach them sooner or later,” added Mr Khokar.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2016