African woman held at Delhi Airport with narcotic worth Rs 50 lakh

A South African woman, alleged to be an international drug peddler, has been arrested at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) with 18 kg of a narcotic worth Rs 50 lakh.

Officials said at about 10:00 PM on Tuesday CISF sleuths detected suspicious movement of a flier, identified as Belinda F (42), who was to travel to Addis Ababa.

A detailed search of the passenger and her belongings led Central Industrial Security Force personnel finding 18 kg of narcotic drug 'methaqualone' from a bag. The drug was neatly packed in black paper wrappers, they said.

The woman has been handed over to anti-narcotics sleuths who arrested her. Belinda was on their wanted list and was an international drug peddler, they said.

"Preliminary assessment has pegged the cost of the seized drugs at Rs 50 lakh," CISF spokesperson Hemendra Singh said.

Belinda came to India on June 18 on a business visa and had its validity till July 21, they said.