Chennai, Oct 3 (PTI) Narcotic drugs worth Rs one crore inthe 'international market' have been seized by NarcoticsControl Bureau officials at Cochin International Airport.
The NCB officials, acting on a tip off, seized 18 kg ofEphedrine and 600 grams of N-Acetylanthranilic acid from theair cargo terminal at Cochin International airport last night.
The seized drugs were concealed in big tea kettles andwere to be sent to Malaysia, the Bureau's Zonal Director,Chennai Zone, Bruno A, said in an official release today.
Ephedrine, a chemical substance, comes under controlledsubstances of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic SubstancesAct and its export without license attracts 10 years ofRigorous Imprisonment, he said.
It is most important precursor to manufacturemethamphetamine, a stimulant party drug, he said.
Since there was huge demand for Ephedrine in Malaysia tomanufacture methamphetamine, there has been an increase insmuggling of the drug from South India.
As there has been "intense" screening in Chennai andBengaluru airports, the smugglers had preferred smallerairports like Kochi to smuggle the "contraband", Bruno said.
The drugs seized were estimated at Rs one crore in the'international market' and further investigation was on, hesaid. PTI VIJ APRAPR.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.