Ashraf Mtoro with the seized contraband, in Kochi on Monday
KOCHI: The directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) seized 4.64kg of heroin from a Tanzanian national who arrived at the Cochin International Airport Ltd (Cial) in the early hours of Monday. The accused was identified as Ashraf Mtoro (32). He reached Cial from Zanzibar in Tanzania, via Dubai in an international flight around 2.45am on Monday.
The narcotics substance, looked like frankincense, was found concealed inside his checkin trolley bag.
DRI officials said that the accused, who reached Kochi on an e-medical attendant visa, reportedly smuggled the contraband for a racket based in New Delhi. Mtoro was directed by the gang to stay at a hotel in the city and later to travel to New Delhi by train for handing over the consignment, officials said.