American student caught with banned satellite phone at Chennai Airport

CHENNAI: The Customs officials at Chennai airport seized a satellite phone from a student of US origin on Wednesday night.

The officials were checking the passengers who were about to board a flight to Singapore around midnight. While scanning the baggage of Oklay Jackson (22), a US national, the officials found that he was carrying a satellite phone, which is not allowed as per Indian law. Jackson was on his way to Australia via Singapore.

He was immediately detained for questioning. During the inquiry, Jackson told officials that he was a student in the US and visited India on a tourist visa. He said he arrived in Chennai from Delhi a few days ago and was unaware that carrying satellite phones was restricted in India, claiming it was legal in the US.

He also mentioned that he had the device while travelling from Delhi to Chennai and was not stopped by any security personnel.

The customs officials were not convinced by his answer and seized the phone and cancelled Jackson's travel. He was handed over to the Chennai airport police for further investigation. The police are now questioning him about his contacts and the purpose of using the satellite phone, and are also verifying his background.