KARACHI: Authorities found 20 kg (44 lb) of heroin on a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight bound for London on Monday during a search at Islamabad airport, a spokesman for the national carrier said.

Heroin has been found on PIA flights at least three times since August last year, including last week at London’s Heathrow Airport.

Airline spokesman Mashhood Tajwar said in a statement authorities had planned on Monday to search four aircraft.

“From one of the aircraft destined for Islamabad-London PK785, 20 kg heroin was recovered,” he said.

After the search, the flight was cleared for takeoff and further investigations were going on, Tajwar said.

“PIA has taken a stern action to keep its fleet free from any effort of smuggling narcotics or other contraband,” he said.—Reuters