Pakistan International Airline's (PIA) maintenance crew has recovered 27 kilograms of heroin on board during an intelligence-based raid on Wednesday.
The heroin, concealed in lavatory panels, was discovered during routine maintenance at the PIA hangar at Karachi's international airport.
The reports revealed that customs officials conducted a raid at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport where they seized nine packets of heroin from the lavatory of a Europe-bound aircraft parked in the hangar.
The aircraft had arrived from Lahore on the evening of May 24 and was expected to fly onwards to Europe, but was instead sent to the hangar for routine maintenance.
It is pertinent to mention that this is not the first attempt to smuggle illegal drugs using similar means.
The authorities are aware of the method used by the smugglers but are yet to make any arrests.
The narcotics were confiscated by the Customs and Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) officials at Karachi airport. An investigation into the incident has been initiated
PIA crew members have also been arrested in the past for attempting to smuggle narcotics on flights bound for international destinations.
