Man on Phuket-B’luru flight tries to hide drugs in overhead panel, held

Air India Express passenger from Phuket arrested at Bengaluru for allegedly hiding narcotics in overhead panel and lavatory bin. (Representational Image)NEW DELHI: A passenger flying from Phuket to Bengaluru Friday allegedly tried to conceal narcotics in the overhead oxygen mask panel of Air India Express flight (IX 903). Sources say he was allegedly carrying 13 packets of contraband substance he had bought in Phuket."He tried to hide them in an overhead panel of the aircraft lav. When he was not able to either do so or conceal the entire stuff with him, he threw some in the lav bin," said sources. They added this passenger told the crew he had inadvertently damaged an overhead panel while changing clothes in the lav.When the aircraft landed in Bangalore around 7 pm Friday, there were customs officials at the aerobridge who are learnt to have arrested him. At this stage, it is not known whether customs had intel on this passenger allegedly carrying narcotics or the crew had informed the airport.An AI Express spokesperson said: "We are aware of an ongoing investigation involving smuggling of a prohibited substance by a passenger on a flight from Phuket. We maintain strict protocols and continue to support the authorities in all investigations."