Australian national held for carrying banned satellite phone in domestic airport

An Australian national has been arrested by the airport police for allegedly possessing a satellite phone, which is banned in India. The police are seeking to know the reason the behind the possession of the phone. The foreigner was nabbed by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officials during a security check at the domestic airport.

According to the police, the suspect, Bruce Andrew McDonald, 54, works as a vice president in a company at Malaysia and reached Mumbai with his family from Malaysia on Friday. He stayed in a five star hotel for a day and was scheduled to go to Goa on Saturday afternoon. Andrew's wife is originally from Goa.

"Andrew was intercepted on Saturday between 1.45 to 2.00pm when he and his family were passing through AI terminal. When the CISF checked him, they found the satellite phone of Iridium company in his possession" said a police officer. "Andrew was immediately handed over to the airport police for further inquiry" added officer.

"He was arrested and charged under the relevant section and later granted bail on person bond of Rs 15,000. The satellite phone is banned in India and carrying it is an offence" said senior police inspector Rajendra Nagdhire of the airport police station.

"During interrogation, Andrew told us that he was not aware about Indian rules and he did not have any ill intention while carrying the satellite phone to India" added Nagdhire.

Another officer said, "Andrew was not checked by any official at the international airport when he arrived in India".