Bengaluru: A 39-year-old American woman was arrested by the Kempegowda International Airport police after she was found carrying a satellite phone, which is banned in India. The woman was produced before the court and released after levying a penalty.
The police confiscated the phone and handed it over to the American Embassy. The woman has been told to collect it from the embassy after producing appropriate documents. The woman has been identified as Pearl Angela Mecenas, a resident of California. According to the police, the incident took place on October 3 evening, when she arrived at the KIA to take a flight to Mumbai, and leave for US from there.
When the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) checked her handbag, they found the satellite phone and questioned her. As she did not give convincing answers, she was detained and interrogated.
“Later, a complaint was registered with the KIA police, who arrested her. She was booked under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act and produced before a magistrate,” an official said.
“When questioned, she said that she was using the satellite phone in the US and had brought it to India, where its use is prohibited. However, it needs to be investigated why the phone was not found when she entered India,” the official added.
