Supplements used to boost performance at physical tests seized at Delhi airport

Customs officials at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) have seized large quantities of body supplements, generally used for to enhance performance during physical tests.

Officials said the samples were sent for testing to confirm the ingredients. Initial investigation suggested the substance is injected into the body.

Officials said the samples were sent for testing to confirm the ingredients. Initial investigation suggested the substance is injected into the body.

“The passenger who was bringing it from Almaty, Kazakhstan, said it gives instant energy. It is used in recruitment drives of police or armed forces,” said a customs official.

The consignment was being carried by two passengers who arrived by flight KC 907 on Thursday. The air customs officers on suspicion intercepted the passengers and found around 12,000 vials of supplements.

“The chemical composition of these vials could not be ascertained since it was printed in Latvian. The baggage was detained and samples were drawn for testing,” the official added.

The passenger had kept the consignment in the check-in baggage, hoping to go undetected.

In another case on Wednesday, customs seized 87.95 kg of organ pipes corals from a passenger travelling from Dubai by a Jet Airways flight. The customs official intercepted the passenger after they crossed the green channel.

“While keeping surveillance on passengers, officers found the passenger to be suspicious and diverted him for screening of his baggage. On preliminary examination, it was suspected the passenger was carrying some endangered species with him,” said an official.

Experts confirmed it was Organ Pipes Coral. Trading and possession of the coral is prohibited under the CITES Convention and Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The passenger was arrested.