Drug bust:Ephedrine worth Rs 24 crore seized at Kempegowda International Airport

Bengaluru: In a major haul, the officials of the Customs Department at the Kempegowda International Airport have seized 475 kg of ephedrine worth Rs 24 crore. 

It is said to be one of the biggest haul of drug seizure in South India.

Based on a specific intelligence, the officers of Central Intelligence Unit at Customs Air Cargo Complex at the KIA intercepted an export cargo at the export shed of Air Cargo Complex on Friday.

On examination of the export consignment comprising 81 bags, declared to be Ammonium chloride, it was found that two bags contained the controlled substance, ephedrine, which was attempted to be smuggled in the guise of Ammonium Chloride, customs officials said.

“The quantity of the Ephedrine detected was approximately 50 kg which is valued approximately at Rs 2.50 crore in the international market. The substance, which was attempted to be smuggled to Malaysia, was seized. As a sequel to the investigation, a follow up action of search of the godown of the exporter at Kothanur was undertaken. The search resulted in detection and seizure of ephedrine that was meant for export. There was approximately 425 kg of the substance packed in 17 HDPE sacks. It’s valued approximately Rs 21.50 crore in the international market,” Customs department officials said. Ephedrine, a controlled substance is a pre-cursor in medicinal preparations, is regulated under the NDPS Act, contravention of which shall result in imprisonment of not less than 10 years and penalty.