New Delhi: A passenger flying from Phuket to Bangalore Friday allegedly tried to conceal narcotics in the overhead oxygen mask panel of Air India Express flight (IX 903). Sources said 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 lavatory. When he was not able to either do so or conceal the entire stuff with him, he threw some in the bin,” said sources. They add 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 7pm Friday, there were customs officials at the aerobridge who are learnt to have arrested him.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.”
