Man arrested at Bangalore airport for attempting to hide drugs on Air India Express flight from Phuket

A passenger traveling on an Air India Express service from Phuket to Bengaluru was intercepted by customs officials at Kempegowda International Airport after attempting to smuggle narcotics. The individual was identified as the flight’s sole suspect in the drug‑smuggling attempt.

According to authorities, the suspect tried to hide thirteen small packets of an illegal substance inside an overhead luggage compartment. When the concealment was discovered, he allegedly discarded part of the material into the aircraft’s lavatory waste bin in an effort to evade detection.

Upon the aircraft’s arrival in Bangalore, customs officers boarded the aerobridge, detained the passenger and seized the remaining contraband. Air India Express has pledged full cooperation with the investigation, which remains ongoing.

The incident underscores heightened vigilance by Indian customs at major entry points, especially on international routes that could be exploited for drug trafficking.