Passenger held, with food supplements worth Rs 10 lakh

Kolkata, Mar 22 (UNI) The custom officials at NSCBI airport today held a passenger from Singapore carrying food supplements worth Rs 10 lakhs.

Commissioner (Customs) Gautam Roy told UNI that one Premananda Naik (59), a resident of Hyderabad, landed early at the airport and walked through the 'green channel' saying that he had nothing to declare when intercepted by the Air Intelligence Unit(AIU) officials.

After a search of his baggage, the custom officials found some items, which the passenger claimed as 'dietary supplements'.

However, the officials suspected that there might be some medicines.

''It was to be ascertained whether the items were pharmaceutical products allowed to be brought into the country as they needed the drug controller's permission,'' Mr Roy said adding that had he declared the items, his items would have only been seized and he be allowed to go.

Naik was produced before the Barasat court, which remanded him to judicial custody till March 24, the Commissioner said.

UNI XC PP RD KK VC1752