Rs 30 lakh worth Ketamine Hydrochloride seized at airport

Chennai, Jan 10 (UNI) Customs Officials of the Chennai Air Commissionerate today seized three kg of Ketamine Hydrochloride, valued at Rs 30 lakh in the international market, hidden in six parcels and meant to be sent to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

Air Customs Commissioner C Rajan, in a release here, said the parcel was booked by flight IC 555 to Kuala Lumpur by one Sanakara Pandian of T Nagar area in the city and declared as gift articles.

It was addressed to one Chinkimloong in Malaysia.

The officials grew suspicious as the parcel, on scanning, appeared different from the declaration.

On opening, the officials found a photo frame with moulded figures of Hindu deities. As the photo appeared unusually heavy with seven kgs, the cardboard panel was opened and found that it contained six packets covered with carbon paper.

The officials later found that it contained a white crystalline powder, which, on testing, showed that it was Ketamine Hydrochloride, a tranquilliser commonly used on animals and was also being increasingly used as a narcotic drug.

The follow-up investigation revealed that the address given by the consignor was fake.

UNI GV SJ SHB ND2018