25 kg of Ketamine hydrochloride pdr worth Rs 2.5 cr seized

Chennai, Feb 25: Officials of Air Customs Intelligence Unit today seized 25 kg of Ketamine hydrochloride in powder form, valued at Rs 2.5 crore in the International market, and arrested a Bangkok bound passenger.

Police sources said customs officials on suspicion checked the hand baggage of Mohammed Nasser, who was bound for Bangkok, and effected the seizure early morning.

The passenger was arrested and remanded in judicial custody. Ketamine Hydrochloride was banned for exports without official documents. It was largely used for partying in South East Asian countries.

The drug, used to tranquillise animals, is being increasingly used as a narcotic, and recent seizures indicated its rising popularity as a club drug.

Its abuse was said to give an 'out-of body or near-death experience.' Today's confiscation comes in the wake of seizure of more than 50 kg of Ketamine chlroide seized at Coimbatore and Chennai airports during the last two weeks.

UNI