DUBAI // Customs officers leading an international police operation have seized cocaine worth Dh12 million.

The 8.5 kilograms of the drug was hidden in the frame of an Asian passenger’s checked bag bound for India from Nigeria, through Dubai. The bag was seized at Dubai International Airport.

Ali Al Maqhawi, director of airport operations at Dubai Customs, said officers became suspicious of the contents of the bag, which was placed under surveillance.

The Customs team then discovered the owner of the bag had gone to the airport’s transit area and bought a ticket to Delhi.

Dubai Police and Customs passed their evidence on to authorities in India, who arrested the suspect at his home, Mr Al Maqhawi said.

He said the operation was carried out last month.

jbell@thenational.ae