CBI sleuths search airport cargo for contraband, find betel leaves instead

During the night-long search, however, they could only unearth betel leaves in cargo that is declared as cut flowers, sources said.

According to airport sources, an eight-member CBI team arrived at the cargo section at around 11.40 pm and started their operation which ended around 4 am on Monday.

“Nothing major, some flower consignment detained for misdeclaration. Betel leaves found instead of cut flowers. Handed over to AAI, the custodian, of such article,” noted a senior Customs official.

According to sources, the consignment was meant for Australia.

Airport sources noted that there was an incident a couple of days back at the cargo section where another consignment bound to Australia, that of turmeric powder, was detained after some white powder was found inside the yellow turmeric powder packs, raising doubt about the possible misdeclaration about the consignment.

“There were some doubts about that particular parcel and some security officials thought it could be drugs. But there was no official confirmation on the subject. Maybe that information could have triggered a search on another set of Australia-bound consignment,” sources added.