An Indian national was arrested at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka after authorities seized 11.8kg of high-grade cannabis allegedly smuggled from Thailand.

The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) said the suspect, identified as Md Zulfikar Molla, 33, was detained on Friday (24 July) at the airport’s arrival hall during a customs inspection in the Green Channel.

According to the DNC, a special team from its Airport Circle under the Dhaka Metro (North) office had been conducting surveillance at the Green Channel following a tip-off. Zulfikar, who arrived in Dhaka on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok, was intercepted on suspicion.

A search of his trolley bag led to the recovery of 21 polythene packets containing a total of 11.8kg of high-grade cannabis, which had been concealed beneath clothing.

The authorities also seized an Indian passport, a boarding pass and a mobile phone from the suspect.

The DNC said Zulfikar is a resident of North 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. A case has been filed against him under the relevant provisions of the Narcotics Control Act, 2018, at the Airport Police Station.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly told investigators that he had planned to stay in Bangladesh for two to three days before returning to India.

The DNC said intelligence surveillance and special anti-narcotics operations would continue across Dhaka and other parts of the country to curb drug trafficking.