Seychelles anti-narcotics agency investigates seizure of 'discarded' heroin at the airport

Crest of the NDEA (Seychelles News Agency) 

(Seychelles News Agency) - The Seychelles National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) is investigating the seizure of heroin drugs it says had been "concealed...for later recovery" at the island nation's international airport at Pointe Larue, on the eastern coast of the main island of Mahé.

According to a press statement issued this afternoon the anti-narcotics agency says the drugs, approximately 100 grams of heroin with a street value of around $26,865, was seized yesterday evening following the arrival of a flight from South Africa.

“SCAA police officers uncovered the consignment which had been discarded as NDEA agents carried out a targeted operation at the International Airport...,” reads the statement.

Drugs recovered by the NDEA during the course of a search of the Airport ( NDEA) Photo License: CC-BY

Contacted by SNA, the NDEA’s Deputy Chief Officer, Liam Quinn, confirmed that the drugs were discovered in the toilet of the arrival lounge at the airport.

“We believe the drugs was discarded by people who were on the flight [from South Africa] and our view is that this would later be collected by somebody with access to the airport,” said Quinn.

No arrest has been made so far in connection with this incident.

“..A number of passengers were searched and questioned including a number whose travel patterns have given rise to suspicion that their journeys are not being undertaken for legitimate purposes,” reads the NDEA statement.

According to Quinn "NDEA has identified suspects" and will be conducting more interviews and searches as the investigation develops.