Nawada: A young man from Nawada district in Bihar has reportedly been detained at Abu Dhabi airport after security officials found poppy seeds, locally known as khus-khus, on sweets he was carrying, according to his family.
Satish Kumar, son of Sudhir Paswan and a resident of Turkban village under Dhamaul police station, had travelled from Patna to Abu Dhabi via Ahmedabad on July 22 for employment purposes.
His family said he had purchased Ras-Kadam sweets from Dhamaul market before leaving for the UAE. The sweets were reportedly coated with poppy seeds.
Detained During Airport Screening
According to the family, airport officials noticed the poppy seeds during routine screening after Satish arrived in Abu Dhabi.
He was subsequently detained for questioning. The family has been informed that he remains in police custody, though details of any formal charges against him were not immediately available in the information provided.
The incident has left his family distressed. Relatives are contacting the Indian Embassy and other authorities seeking assistance and legal support.
Family Says He Was Unaware Of UAE Regulations
The family said Satish was unaware of restrictions concerning poppy seeds in the UAE and had carried the sweets believing them to be an ordinary food item.
Poppy seeds are commonly used as a culinary ingredient in India, including in sweets and other dishes. However, regulations governing the import and possession of food products can differ between countries.
Food Inspector Clarifies Status In India
Food Inspector Ajay Kumar said poppy seeds are not classified as a narcotic substance in India and are commonly used in food products.
However, the legal status of an item in India does not necessarily determine whether it can be carried into another country. Travellers are required to comply with the customs, import and controlled-substance regulations of their destination.
Reminder For International Travellers
The incident highlights the need for travellers to check the rules of their destination country before carrying food items, medicines and other products abroad.
Items that are routinely consumed or legally sold in India may be subject to different restrictions elsewhere. Checking official regulations before departure can help travellers avoid potential problems at immigration and customs.
