Ketamine Hydrochloride worth Rs 5 cr seized, 2 held

Chennai, Jul 18: In a record seizure of Ketamine Hydrochloride, Customs Authorities and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 49 kg of the drug worth nearly Rs five crore in the market from two air passengers at the Chennai Airport here at midnight last night.

Customs sources said following information, Customs and DRI sleuths checked the baggage of two passengers who were taking a flight to Singapore on the Singapore Queen Flight.

A check revealed 24 kg of the drug concealed in 25 toner cartons in the baggage of Hamid Kani (37) of Vyasarpadi in Chennai and 25 kg hidden in false bottom and sides in the suitcase of Hussain Abdullah (35) of Perambalur District of Tamil Nadu.

While Kani's drug consignment was valued at Rs 2.4 crore, Abdullah's was put at Rs 2.5 crore.

The duo used to take Indian Airlines or Malaysian Airlines Flight to fly direct to Malaysia. Following heightened alert, they flew to Singapore for onward journey to Malaysia.

Abdullah and Kani were arrested by Customs Officials. They would be produced before a Customs Court for remand.

Only yesterday, the authorities had seized three kg of Ketamine Hydrochloride worth Rs 30 lakh from a woman passenger bound for Malaysia.

UNI