Officers of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Section brought a registered piece of luggage belonging to an incoming male French national in for scanning at SSR International Airport on 4 November 2024, and the images showed abnormalities.[1] Taken to the section’s office, the passenger refused to open the case, claiming it was not his and belonged to someone who had already left the airport.[1] A preliminary check found the luggage registered in his name, and the lock was forced open in his presence.[1]

Under the zipper on one side of the suitcase lay three rectangular parcels wrapped in cellophane; one was cut slightly open and held a substance suspected to be a dangerous drug.[1] A presumptive field test for cannabis came back positive.[1] The revenue authority put the seizure at 6 kg of hashish worth around Rs 30 million and handed the passenger to the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit for further enquiry.[1]