Central agencies seize drugs and chemicals worth Rs 2.4 crore in Chennai
Four people were arrested following two separate operations by Chennai Customs and the Narcotics Control Bureau on November 12.
Central agencies in Chennai seized narcotics and precursor chemicals valued at Rs 2.4 crore during two operations on November 12, according to Rediff.
The Air Intelligence Unit of Chennai Customs intercepted a male passenger arriving from Bangkok who was carrying 4 kg of hydroponically cultivated ganja. The contraband, hidden in a false-bottom compartment of a checked-in trolley suitcase, is valued at approximately Rs 1.4 crore in the illicit market.
In a separate operation on the same day, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized 50 kg of pseudoephedrine from AN Enterprises, a plastic manufacturing unit in MKB Nagar. The NCB stated the chemical, worth an estimated Rs 1 crore, was found in two gunny bags and can be used to produce methamphetamine.
Four people were arrested in total, including a father and son among three Chennai residents linked to the pseudoephedrine seizure. The NCB said preliminary investigations suggest the consignment was sourced from Hyderabad for export.
Investigations indicate that international syndicates use Chennai to move precursor chemicals to nations including Australia and New Zealand. The passenger arrested by Customs was remanded in judicial custody under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The NCB has requested the public to report drug trafficking information via the MANAS National Narcotics Helpline on 1933.