Patna, July 27: A man from Bihar’s Nawada district has reportedly been detained at Abu Dhabi International Airport after authorities objected to poppy seeds coating a traditional Indian sweet found in his luggage, according to his family.
The man, identified as Satish Kumar, a resident of Turkban village in Nawada district, had travelled to Abu Dhabi on July 22 via Ahmedabad. Before leaving India, he purchased Raskadam, a popular Bengali sweet coated with poppy seeds, to take for acquaintances living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), family members said.
According to the family, airport security officials questioned Kumar after discovering the sweets during baggage screening. They alleged that he was subsequently taken into custody because of the poppy seed coating, which is subject to strict import regulations in the UAE.
The family said they were unaware that food items containing poppy seeds could lead to legal complications abroad.
They have approached the Indian Embassy and other authorities, seeking legal assistance and intervention for his early and safe release.Poppy seeds, commonly known in India as khus khus or posto dana, are widely used in sweets and traditional dishes.
While their sale and consumption are legal in India, the cultivation of opium poppy is permitted only under a government licensing system and is regulated by the country’s narcotics authorities.
Several countries, including the UAE, Singapore and China, enforce strict restrictions on the import of poppy seeds because they originate from the opium poppy plant, despite their culinary use in many parts of the world.
Food Inspector Ajay Kumar advised travellers to verify the food and agricultural import regulations of their destination country before travelling internationally.
He said products that are legal in India may be prohibited elsewhere, and carrying such items unknowingly could result in legal action.There has been no official statement from UAE authorities regarding the reported detention.
The matter is expected to be pursued through diplomatic and legal channels as the family seeks assistance for Kumar’s release.
