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  World   Asia  17 May 2017  PIA crew held at Heathrowover drugs

PIA crew held at Heathrowover drugs

Published : May 17, 2017, 12:56 am IST
Updated : May 17, 2017, 12:56 am IST

The incident happened on Monday when PK785 from Islamabad arrived at the London airport.

National Crime Agency and UKBA agents, after searching the plane for approximately four hours, did not find anything.
 National Crime Agency and UKBA agents, after searching the plane for approximately four hours, did not find anything.

Islamabad: A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane flying to Heathrow Airport was searched and its 14-member crew detained by British authorities after landing in London over information that there were narcotics on board the flight.

The incident happened on Monday when PK785 from Islamabad arrived at the London airport.

Upon landing, as passengers disembarked, the flight crew and aircraft were searched by authorities, PIA spokesman Mashood Tajwar said.

The 14 crew members were kept in detention for five hours and, according to UK Border Agency sources, information had been received from Pakistan that there were narcotics on board the flight, Geo TV reported.

There was suspicion that the crew might be involved and the narcotics were hidden in different panels and areas of the plane, the report said.

However, the National Crime Agency and UKBA agents, after searching the plane for approximately four hours, did not find anything. The crew was later released after being questioned but their passports were withheld by the UKBA, which stated that further questioning might take place.

According to UKBA officials, the inquiry is still ongoing and after they are satisfied the next steps will be announced regarding whether the passports would be released or charges filed.

In a statement, the Metropolitan police said action against PIA crew members was taken by the UKBA which is directly dealt by the Home Office.

“We have not been informed as to why was the crew detained?” said Mr Tajwar. PIA has been suffering huge losses recently.    

Tags: pakistan international airlines, narcotics, national crime agency
Location: Pakistan, Islamabad, Islamabad